Jailed activist Joshua Wong pleads guilty to foreign collusion under National Security Law

Key Points:

• Joshua Wong, a prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, is facing new charges of conspiring with others, including exiled activist Nathan Law, to seek foreign sanctions and blockades against Beijing, related to activities from July to November 2020 under the National Security Law (NSL).
• Wong is already serving a four-year and eight-month sentence for subversion, another NSL violation, with his current jail term expected to end early next year; sentencing for the latest charge will be determined later.
• Prosecutors highlighted Wong and Law's international lobbying efforts, including visits to the US, Germany, and Italy, and accused them of promoting the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, a US law mandating sanctions on officials responsible for human rights abuses.
• Despite the disbandment of their pro-democracy party Demosistō, Wong has continued his political activism and international outreach, maintaining his stance against Beijing's policies in Hong Kong.
• Around 40 supporters, including activists and friends, rallied in court showing support for Wong, while some observers called for leniency given that he has already spent over 2,000 days in prison.