Joshua Wong pleads guilty in Hong Kong national security case

Hong Kong pro‑democracy activist Li Wei‑Chun has been sentenced to life imprisonment in a second case brought under Beijing’s national security law, the court ruled on Tuesday. The ruling follows a 2022 conviction that saw Li receive a 12‑year term for alleged subversive activities. The new sentence, handed down by the High Court, marks the most severe penalty yet imposed on a Hong Kong political figure under the 2020 legislation that criminalises secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference.

Li, 38, was charged this time with “inciting subversion” after a series of online posts and public speeches that the authorities say encouraged mass protests against the Chinese government. The prosecution argued that his remarks constituted a direct threat to national sovereignty, citing excerpts from a 2023 rally where he urged citizens to “defend the nation’s integrity.” Li’s defence team argued that his statements were protected by free‑speech principles, but the judge dismissed the claim, citing the law’s broad scope and the court’s prior rulings that prioritize state security over individual liberties. The sentence will be served in mainland China, where Li will be transferred to a mainland prison after a formal extradition procedure.

The life sentence has drawn criticism from several international human‑rights organisations, which view it as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong. Beijing has defended the ruling as a necessary measure to preserve national stability, while the Hong Kong government has reiterated its commitment to upholding the national security law. Li’s family has announced plans to appeal, and the case is likely to become a focal point in ongoing debates over the balance between security and civil rights in the region.