Joshua Wong sentencing: Local gov’t, police, officials hail 10-year jail term amid condemnation from foreign gov’t’s, NGOs

Jailed Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on Thursday after pleading guilty to conspiring to collude with foreign forces, his second conviction under a Beijing-imposed national security law.

See also: Joshua Wong sought leniency to be freed in his 30s, mitigation letter reveals

HKFP rounds up local and international reactions.

Local reactions:

Chief Executive John Lee

Wong was “among the primary culprits responsible for undermining Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability… Wong Chi-fung has repeatedly broken the law, including organising, taking part in, and inciting others to take part in unauthorised assemblies, unlawful assemblies, and contempt of court, demonstrating his utter disregard for the law.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun

“The central government of China firmly supports the Hong Kong SAR in safeguarding national security and punishing in accordance with the law acts that endanger national security.”

Spokesperson for the Hong Kong Legislative Council

“The sentence fully demonstrates the rule of law and justice, reflecting that under the Hong Kong National Security Law, anyone attempting to endanger national security will inevitably be severely punished in accordance with the law… [T]he evidence against Wong Chi-fung was conclusive and he chose to plead guilty…”

Chief Superintendent of Police National Security Department Steve Li

“I sincerely hope that for the rest of his time in prison, apart from reflecting on the wrongdoings he has done to the country and to the Hong Kong SAR, he must seize the opportunity to learn how to respect the law and properly understand his own country.”

Secretary for Security Chris Tang

“Those launching attacks against us are exactly the same external forces that Wong and Law attempted to collude… They must be strongly condemned, and Hong Kong citizens must recognise and acknowledge that clearly.”

International reactions:

European Union External Action Press Team:

“The EU urges Chinese and the Hong Kong authorities to respect international legal commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration and maintain space for political pluralism in line with the ‘one country, two systems’ principle.”

Spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office

“We call for an immediate end to all unjust prosecutions of individuals charged under the National Security Law and urge the authorities in China and Hong Kong to honour the rights and freedoms guaranteed to the people of Hong Kong under the Sino-British joint declaration (1984).”

Spokesperson for the US Consulate

“Wong has been unjustly imprisoned since December 2020, demonstrating that Beijing will go to extraordinary lengths to silence those who advocate for fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.”

Taiwan Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo

“Seeking democracy should not be a crime, and young people should not have to sacrifice their freedom for their ideals.”

Asia Director at Human Rights Watch Elaine Pearson

“The harsh sentence on baseless charges against Joshua Wong is cruel and unjust. Young people promoting social change are an asset for any vibrant society, but the Hong Kong government puts them behind bars.”

Deputy Regional Director for Amnesty International Sarah Brooks

“Today’s sentence is another grim reminder of how Hong Kong’s National Security Law has become a tool to punish dissent rather than to genuinely protect national security… [it] cruelly – and perhaps deliberately – comes mere months before he would have been eligible for release under his previous conviction.”

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