Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong pleads guilty to foreign collusion

Joshua Wong, a prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, pleaded guilty on September 2, 2026, to collusion with foreign entities, a charge under the National Security Law (NSL) that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Wong, 29, is already serving a four-year-and-eight-month sentence for subversion, another NSL violation, and is due for release early next year. The court will sentence him at a later date. Prosecutors accused Wong of conspiring with exiled activist Nathan Law to lobby foreign countries, including the US, Germany, and Italy, to impose sanctions or blockades against Beijing, and of promoting the US Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. Wong did not dispute the allegations. About 40 supporters gathered in court, shouting encouragement. The case highlights ongoing tensions over the NSL, which critics say suppresses dissent.