Joshua Wong, a leading figure in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, has pleaded guilty to collusion with foreign entities under Beijing's National Security Law, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The 29-year-old is already serving four years and eight months for subversion, a term due to end early next year, but now faces sentencing on this additional charge at a later date. The case underscores the continued use of the sweeping security law to pursue prominent activists years after the protests that made them well known, even while they remain in custody.

Prosecutors said Wong conspired with others, including exiled activist Nathan Law, to lobby foreign governments, including the US, Germany and Italy, to impose sanctions or blockades on Beijing, with the alleged conduct spanning July to November 2020. The pair co-founded the pro-democracy party Demosistō in 2016, and prosecutors also accused them of promoting the US Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which allows Washington to sanction officials over human rights abuses. Wong did not contest the allegations, and around 40 supporters attended court, with some activists noting he has already spent more than 2,000 days in prison and expressing hope for a lenient sentence.