(HONG KONG, CHINA — Nov. 6, 2026) Christian pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison, just two months before his expected release, as Beijing’s crackdown on political dissent continues in this southern Chinese territory.
The Hong Kong High Court convicted Wong of “conspiracy to collude with foreign or external forces to endanger national security.” Prosecutors stated that in 2020, Wong called on foreign governments to impose sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials.
Wong, 30, pleaded guilty to the charge in September. His prosecution stems from political advocacy during a period when Beijing was tightening control over Hong Kong following mass pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019.
Previously, Wong had received a four-year, eight-month sentence for “conspiracy to subvert state power” over his participation in Hong Kong’s unofficial 2020 pro-democracy primary election. He had been scheduled for release on Jan. 7, 2027.
The court allowed him to serve the remaining two months and two days of his previous sentence concurrently with the new term. The ruling is expected to keep him behind bars until late 2036.
Wong rose to prominence as a teenager who helped lead Hong Kong’s 2014 Umbrella Movement, which demanded greater democratic rights. He has remained in custody since November 2020, following prosecutions connected to political protests and memorial events.
Raised in a Christian family, Wong has said his faith shaped his commitment to social justice. In a 2017 interview, he spoke of Christians’ calling to be “salt and light” in society, linking belief with civic responsibility.
In February, ChinaAid reported that five U.S. lawmakers nominated Wong for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize alongside other human rights advocates, including Christian pastors Wang Yi and Ezra Jin. The nominations recognized their nonviolent defense of fundamental rights.
Rights groups condemn ruling
Since Beijing imposed the Hong Kong National Security Law in June 2020, authorities have prosecuted dozens of pro-democracy activists, former legislators, and journalists. Human rights organizations warn that the crackdown has severely undermined Hong Kong’s civil liberties and judicial independence.
Religious freedom advocates have also raised concerns about increasing restrictions on churches and Christian expression in Hong Kong. Christian Solidarity Worldwide highlighted Wong’s Christian faith in its response to Thursday’s sentencing.
ChinaAid founder Bob Fu said the Hong Kong authorities’ use of lengthy prison sentences against pro-democracy figures mirrors tactics employed by Beijing against dissidents. He has previously warned that the security law threatens both civil and religious freedoms.
In a joint statement issued Thursday, Freedom House and 39 other human rights organizations condemned Wong’s sentence and called for his immediate release. The coalition warned that his continued imprisonment reflects Beijing’s systematic dismantling of Hong Kong’s promised freedoms.
Gao Zhensai is a special correspondent for ChinaAid News. Founded in 2002, ChinaAid is an international Christian human rights organization committed to promoting religious freedom and the rule of law in China through advocacy, legal support, and international awareness campaigns.