Hong Kong court hands Joshua Wong 10-year sentence, drawing Western condemnation

Key facts

• Hong Kong court sentenced Joshua Wong to 10 years in prison for colluding with foreign forces.
• UK Foreign Office called the sentence a clear example of the National Security Law targeting political expression.
• US consulate in Hong Kong strongly condemned the additional sentence and called for Wong's release.
• China warned relevant parties to stop making irresponsible remarks about Hong Kong judicial cases.

A Hong Kong court sentenced Joshua Wong Chi-fung, one of the city's most prominent democracy activists, to 10 years in prison this week for colluding with foreign forces, Nikkei Asia reported on November 6, 2026. The sentence drew condemnations from democratic governments and rebuttals from Hong Kong and China.

The UK Foreign Office said the sentence was a clear example of how the National Security Law is being used to target individuals for political expression and participation. It called for an immediate end to all unjust prosecutions under the law and urged authorities in China and Hong Kong to honor rights guaranteed under the Sino-British joint declaration.

The US consulate in Hong Kong said it strongly condemned the additional sentence and called for Wong's immediate release. China warned relevant parties to stop making irresponsible remarks about Hong Kong judicial cases.

Wong, 30, has been in prison since age 23 and is expected to be released around 2036 at age 40, according to the report.