Hong Kong activists face convictions under national security law

Prominent Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty to a national security charge, potentially extending his imprisonment beyond his current expected release in January 2027. Appearing before the High Court on September 2, Wong admitted to one count of “conspiracy to collude with a foreign country or external forces to endanger national security.” His defense argued that he was not a mastermind or organizer and sought a reduced sentence based on his early guilty plea and the nearly six years he has already spent in custody.

In a separate development involving the national security crackdown, former leaders of the now-dissolved Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan, were convicted of incitement to subversion. The group, which historically organized annual Tiananmen Square vigils, was also found guilty. Both activists face potential prison sentences of up to a decade. Additionally, in the high-profile “Hong Kong 47” case, 11 defendants have been granted leave to appeal their convictions.