Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty to collusion with foreign entities, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison under Beijing’s sweeping National Security Law (NSL).

The 29-year-old, who has become the poster child for political activism in Hong Kong, is already serving a sentence of four years and eight months after being convicted of subversion – another NSL violation – in late 2024.

This earlier sentence was scheduled to end early next year.

Wong was at the forefront of the Umbrella Movement in 2014 and massive pro-democracy protests in 2019.

The latest charge accuses Wong of conspiring with other campaigners, including exiled activist Nathan Law, to ask foreign countries and entities outside China to impose sanctions or blockades against Beijing, according to court documents seen by Reuters.

These activities took place between July and late November 2020, according to the charge sheets.

That was the year China introduced the controversial NSL, which critics say has created a climate of fear and quashed dissent in Hong Kong.

Beijing and Hong Kong authorities argue the law is necessary to maintain stability and deny it has weakened autonomy.

About 40 of Wong’s supporters, including fellow activists and some of his close friends, gathered in court on Tuesday. Some shouted: “Hang in there, Joshua!”

Wong, dressed in a dark blue shirt, was seen smiling and nodding in response from the dock.

Tsang Kin-shing, a former member of the now-dissolved League of Social Democrats, said he hopes the court will impose a lenient sentence, noting that Wong has by now spent more than 2,000 days in prison.

Fellow activist Louis Lee said Wong and his supporters were disheartened that he was handed another NSL charge while already serving time in prison.

Wong has continued seeking out new interests while in prison, including learning how to play the guitar and working out.

“I hope everyone can learn from him,” Lee says.