WHILE YOU WERE OUT
Briefings · Thursday, November 5, 2026 · 💼 5 PM
💼 5 PM · While you worked

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong sentenced to 10 more years

A Hong Kong court sentenced democracy activist Joshua Wong, 30, to 10 more years in prison under the national security law after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces. Authorities accused him of asking other countries to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China. The judge set 13 years as a starting point and reduced it for his guilty plea.

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Why it matters

The sentence is Wong's second under Hong Kong's national security law; he had been expected to be freed in January. Critics say the law's charges can be used repeatedly to keep a political prisoner jailed.

How each side sees it

China and Hong Kong sayChina's foreign ministry urged other countries to respect China's sovereignty and Hong Kong's legal system; Hong Kong authorities say the security law is crucial for stability and their actions were evidence-based.
Critics sayThe U.S. consulate "strongly condemns" the sentence and called for his release; Human Rights Watch called it "cruel and unjust."

Sources

Checked against 2 established news sources:

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Published Thursday, November 5, 2026. Spot an error? Email [email protected]. See our corrections log and standards.

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