By Sohaib Shams
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, 30, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to “foreign collusion” under the city’s national security law, becoming the only person prosecuted twice under the legislation.
International condemnation
The UK Foreign Office called the sentence “a clear example of how the National Security Law is being used to target individuals for political expression and participation,” urging an immediate end to unjust prosecutions and respect for rights guaranteed under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration.
The US consulate in Hong Kong “strongly condemns” the additional sentence and demanded Wong’s immediate release, stating he has been unjustly imprisoned since December 2020.
China’s response
China warned “relevant parties” to “stop making irresponsible remarks” about Hong Kong judicial cases shortly after the US statement.
Human rights criticism
Human Rights Watch described the sentence as “cruel and unjust,” while Amnesty International said it highlights how the law has become a tool to punish dissent rather than protect national security. Wong has already served six years and was due for release in January 2027.
Political reactions
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said the case reinforced concerns about the broad application of national security legislation. Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith accused China of trashing the “one country, two systems” treaty, while Labour MP James Naish urged the government to show Britain will not tolerate such sentencing.
Activist perspective
Fellow activist Nathan Law, named as a co-conspirator in the case, called the sentencing “a farce” and said it signals China’s determination to quash hopes for freedom and democracy.
