Joshua Wong and Au Kam San's sentences show China's suppression of dissent and warrant stronger international action
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/editorial. "The Guardian view on a tale of two activists: Joshua Wong and Au Kam San should not be behind bars | Editorial | The Guardian." November 8, 2026. www.theguardian.com
The Gist
The Guardian argues that Joshua Wong and Au Kam San are being jailed for peacefully standing up for democracy, as part of China's broader crackdown on dissent. It says that simply condemning the sentences isn't enough, and that governments should demand the activists' release, sanction officials involved, and protect exiles.
Conclusion
Joshua Wong and Au Kam San should not be imprisoned, and foreign governments must go beyond condemnation by demanding their release, considering sanctions such as travel bans and asset freezes on officials involved, and protecting exiled activists.
Premises
- Joshua Wong received a further 10-year sentence for 'foreign collusion' under the national security law and will remain imprisoned until he is 40, and Au Kam San received 12.5 years for subversion in a closed-door trial in Macau.
- The 'crimes' at issue are lobbying foreign governments to pressure China, and advocating for democracy and commemorating Tiananmen, which are forms of peaceful dissent and the defense of Hong Kong's guaranteed autonomy.
- Wong had largely curtailed his foreign lobbying before the NSL came into force, and the sentences came through stacked charges, repeat prosecution, and secret proceedings, which suggests the prosecutions are vindictive rather than aimed at genuine wrongdoing.
- These cases are part of a broader pattern: more than 300 arrests under the NSL and related laws, the same charge used against Jimmy Lai, and increased pressure on Macau, which indicates a deliberate effort to chill critics.
- Existing international responses are inadequate: the EU and Portugal condemned Au's sentence without calling for his release, and financial firms continue business as usual in Hong Kong.
Assumptions
- Peaceful political advocacy and lobbying of foreign governments should not be criminalized.
- The Hong Kong and Macau courts' proceedings are not independent or fair, so the verdicts do not reflect genuine legal wrongdoing.
- Beijing's intent can be inferred from the pattern and timing of prosecutions.
- External pressure such as calls for release and targeted sanctions can influence China's behavior or at least is morally required.
- Governments have both the standing and the responsibility to act on behalf of foreign dissidents, especially those with dual nationality or exiled status.