Canada, others call on China to end 'unjust prosecutions' after sentencing of Joshua Wong
The Canadian government has joined nine other countries in a joint statement condemning this week's prison sentence for Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong.
Meanwhile, longtime pro-democracy Macao legislator sentenced in case criticized by Human Rights Watch
Thomson Reuters
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The Canadian government has joined nine other countries in a joint statement condemning this week's prison sentence for Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong.
Wong, who became the global face of the financial hub's pro-democracy movement, was sentenced to 10 years in jail on a charge of collusion with foreign entities under the city's National Security Law (NSL).
"We call for an immediate end to all unjust prosecutions of individuals charged under the NSL and urge the authorities in China and Hong Kong to uphold their international commitments and honour the rights and freedoms guaranteed to the people of Hong Kong under the Sino-British Joint Declaration (1984)," the statement reads.
Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States also signed onto the statement, condemning how Hong Kong's National Security Law "is being used to target individuals for political expression and participation."
The countries also invoked the conviction earlier this year of members of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.
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Wong, 30, was already serving a four-year, eight-month prison term after entering a guilty plea in the city's biggest national security case . Before being prosecuted for the collusion-related charge, Wong had been expected to be freed in January.
WATCH | Jimmy Lai's son grateful for Canadian condemnation in case earlier this year:
China hasn't 'imprisoned his spirit': Jimmy Lai's son on father's sentencing
February 9|
Duration
9:43
Sebastien Lai, son of pro-democracy former Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, tells Power & Politics China has imprisoned his father's body 'but they haven't imprisoned his spirit,' as Beijing hands down a 20-year sentence to the 78-year-old under China's internationally scrutinized national security law. Plus, Irwin Cotler, Canadian international legal counsel for Jimmy Lai, says the implications of the sentence are severe for democracy.Subversion conviction for Macau legislator
Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese rule in 1997, with the guarantee that its high degree of autonomy and freedoms would be protected under a "one country, two systems" formula.
Between 2014 and 2019, Hong Kong saw a series of pro-democracy protests in response to various Beijing legislative measures — protests which occasionally turned violent.
China responded by passing a new national security law in 2020, alongside other measures, which have expanded the investigatory and extradition powers of Chinese authorities while strengthening the punishments for activities viewed by authorities as subversive or terroristic.
Leaders of the protests have faced arrest or exile, with some settling in Canada in the immediate aftermath of the Chinese crackdown.
In February, media tycoon Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong's most vocal China critic, was jailed for 20 years for collusion with foreign forces and sedition following a landmark trial that sparked international criticism.
Also on Friday, a leading Macao democrat was jailed for 12.5 years on charges of subversion, in the China-ruled gambling hub's first known national security trial, local broadcaster TDM reported.
Au Kam San, one of Macau's longest-serving pro-democracy legislators, is shown on Dec. 12, 2024. Human Rights Watch has condemned the trial of Au, (Eduardo Leal/AFP/Getty Images)
Au Kam San, 69, was arrested in July 2025 for collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security and tried behind closed doors on Sept. 16 and 18, TDM said.
Human Rights Watch said the proceedings were "marred by violations of due process" and the sentence handed down by the Macao government "sends a chilling message to all peaceful critics in the territory."
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Au is one of Macao's most prominent democratic campaigners, serving for nearly two decades as a lawmaker in the former Portuguese colony. His lawyer, who was appointed by the court, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Through the years, Au had championed democratic reforms and civil society initiatives in the tiny enclave that returned to Chinese rule in 1999 — two years after neighbouring Hong Kong was handed back to China.
Macao's Court of First Instance found Au guilty of subversion of state power, establishing links with foreign groups or individuals to commit activities endangering national security and violation of secrecy.
"Although the defendant is a first-time offender and has admitted to a significant portion of the criminal acts, the degree of intent was extremely high, and both the unlawfulness of the conduct and the potential consequences are exceptionally grave," TDM said, citing the court.
The court acquitted Au on two additional counts of subversion due to insufficient evidence.
The applicable range for Au's cumulative sentence was between 11 years and three months and 19 years and six months of imprisonment, TDM said.
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