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Joshua Wong admits instigating sanctions against Beijing, Hong Kong governments
Jailed activist could face longer term after admitting that he urged foreign firms to avoid investing in mainland China, providing tech to local police
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Jailed Hong Kong opposition activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung has admitted instigating international sanctions against central and local authorities six years ago, such as urging foreign businesses to avoid investment in mainland China and petitioning an Israeli forensic tech firm to terminate its services for the city’s police force.
The High Court heard on Wednesday that Wong, 29, had conspired with fugitive ex-lawmaker Nathan Law Kwun-chung, 33, and others to garner international support for their resistance campaign aimed at forcing Beijing to repeal the national security law and grant Hongkongers greater political freedom.
Wong pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces before Mr Justice William Tam Yiu-ho, a former leading prosecutor who oversaw prosecutions of anti-government protesters in the aftermath of the 2019 social unrest.
The activist is set to face additional years behind bars, having been sentenced to four years and eight months’ imprisonment for conspiring to subvert state power through his participation in an unofficial legislative primary election in July 2020.
Defence lawyers suggested Wong be sentenced to 4½ years in jail in the latest case, citing the less serious nature of the offence and the delay in prosecution.
But Judge Tam expressed reservations, noting the defendant appeared to have lied about renouncing his previous calls for foreign sanctions in his failed bid to run in the 2020 Legislative Council election.
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Facts Only
* Joshua Wong admitted instigating international sanctions against Beijing and Hong Kong governments six years ago.
* This included urging foreign businesses to avoid investment in mainland China.
* Wong petitioned an Israeli forensic tech firm to terminate services for the city’s police force.
* Wong conspired with fugitive ex-lawmaker Nathan Law Kwun-chung and others.
* The resistance campaign aimed to force Beijing to repeal the national security law and grant Hongkongers greater political freedom.
* Wong pleaded guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces before Mr Justice William Tam Yiu-ho.
* Wong was sentenced to four years and eight months for conspiring to subvert state power through participation in an unofficial legislative primary election in July 2020.
* Defence lawyers suggested a sentence of four and a half years.
Executive Summary
Joshua Wong, a jailed Hong Kong opposition activist, admitted to instigating international sanctions against Beijing and the Hong Kong governments six years prior. This involvement included urging foreign businesses to refrain from investing in mainland China and petitioning an Israeli forensic tech firm to cease providing services to the city’s police force. The High Court heard that Wong conspired with Nathan Law Kwun-chung and others to gain international support for a resistance campaign aimed at forcing Beijing to repeal the national security law and increase political freedom for Hongkongers.
Wong pleaded guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces before Judge William Tam Yiu-ho. He has already been sentenced to four years and eight months for conspiring to subvert state power through participation in an unofficial legislative primary election in July 2020. Defence lawyers suggested a sentence of four and a half years, citing the offense's nature and the delay in prosecution. The judge expressed reservations regarding Wong's statements about renouncing prior calls for foreign sanctions during the 2020 Legislative Council election bid.
Full Take
Sentinel — Human
The text exhibits the tight, factual structure characteristic of established legal reporting, suggesting it is likely based on direct reporting of court proceedings rather than synthetic generation.