Joshua Wong was sentenced to 10 years in prison for pleading guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign countries or external elements to endanger national security, as per the National Security Law. High Court Judge William Tam deemed the offence to be of a "grave nature." The court highlighted that Wong and his associates, notably Nathan Law, continued to advocate for foreign sanctions and hostile measures against China and Hong Kong despite the NSL coming into effect. Judge Tam applied a starting sentence of 13 years, reduced by three years for his guilty plea and various mitigating factors, resulting in the 10-year term, which is the minimum for a grave offence. Two months and two days of Wong's new sentence will serve concurrently with his existing 13-year term for another case of subversion. Speaking to reporters outside the High Court, Steve Li, Chief Superintendent of the police's National Security Department, commented that Wong had participated in social movements from a young age and had committed various offences as an adult. Li expressed hope that Wong would reflect on his actions and learn to respect the law and understand his country.
Wong was originally involved in various pro-democracy protests and later became a prominent figure in Hong Kong's political landscape. His sentence is seen as a significant blow to the opposition movement, with many expressing concern over the impact of the National Security Law on political freedoms and the right to protest. Law enforcement officials have been increasingly vigilant in prosecuting those they deem to be a threat to national security, leading to a rise in politically motivated arrests and convictions.