Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong was sentenced to another 10 years in prison on Thursday after being convicted of colluding with foreign powers under Beijing's national security law.
'The court… imposed a final sentence of 10 years' imprisonment' on Wong, according to a press summary released by the court.
Wong, who gained international recognition during the massive pro-democracy protests that swept Hong Kong, has already spent nearly six years behind bars. He turned 30 last month.
The former student leader had previously been expected to be released in January after serving four years and eight months for subversion under the Beijing-imposed national security law.
However, Hong Kong authorities charged him again under the same law in June 2025, accusing him of seeking sanctions against Hong Kong and China from foreign countries and entities.
Wong pleaded guilty in September.
He appeared calm when he entered the courtroom on Thursday morning, wearing a blue shirt and black glasses. He nodded to supporters and looked around at members of the public and reporters.
After the sentencing, Wong thanked and waved to his supporters as he left the courtroom. Some were heard telling him: 'We'll be waiting for your release.'
Dozens of people queued to attend the hearing, while police maintained a heavy presence outside the court.
Beijing sends a strong message
Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at SOAS University of London, told AFP that Beijing regarded Wong as one of the key figures behind what it viewed as an open rebellion during the 2019 protests, despite him being considered a moderate.
He said Wong would be made an example of.
Before the sentence was announced, Tsang said the case would demonstrate that Beijing was maintaining firm control over Hong Kong, with little prospect of a return to the more relaxed conditions before 2019.
Rights groups have condemned the collusion charge against Wong, describing it as a deliberate attempt by the authorities to keep him behind bars.
From student protest leader to international activist
Wong rose to prominence during Hong Kong's 2014 protests, known as the Umbrella Movement, and has faced repeated imprisonment since 2017 over protest-related cases.
Authorities said he began international lobbying as early as 2016, when he promoted the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which allows the US president to impose sanctions in response to human rights violations in the territory.
During the massive pro-democracy protests in 2019, which were sometimes marked by violence, Wong joined a delegation to the United States to lobby for the legislation. The bill was eventually passed.
The following year, Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong to suppress dissent, prompting opposition groups to disband and activists to flee the territory.
At the time, Wong vowed to 'continue to defend my home — Hong Kong — until they silence me'.
He was among dozens of pro-democracy figures jailed for subversion in 2024 in Hong Kong's largest national security trial.
Some of his co-defendants have been released in recent months after completing their sentences.
However, Wong is the only person from that group to have been charged twice under the national security law.
Friends and supporters express concern
Before Thursday's sentencing, Wong's lawyer had argued for a shorter prison term of between three and 10 years, taking into account the time he had already served.
Louis Lee, a friend of Wong, said the activist remained 'energetic' in prison but was sometimes 'worried and nervous' about the sentencing.
During prison visits, Wong appeared disappointed and would occasionally sigh, recalled Lee, who was a member of Scholarism, the now-disbanded student group co-founded by Wong.
'There are always so many unknowns,' Lee said.
'But he has to accept this reality, rather than simply continuing to feel down or unhappy because of it.'
Margaret Chan, a 61-year-old retiree and long-time supporter of Wong, said she was heartbroken by the sentence.
'It is truly heartbreaking. Such an outstanding young man, who has been exceptional since he was in his youth,' she told AFP.
She added that Wong would be in middle age by the time he was released.
