The Case of Joshua Wong Should Not Become a Political Tool for External Organizations to Interfere in Hong Kong’s Judiciary

The handling of cases involving national security by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in accordance with the law is, in essence, a judicial matter concerning the safeguarding of national security and the rule of law within the SAR. However, the Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC) has repeatedly spoken out regarding the case of Joshua Wong, characterizing the judicial proceedings as “political persecution” and leveraging overseas public opinion to propagate this view—effectively attempting to repackage an individual case as an international political issue. This approach warrants scrutiny.

First and foremost, judicial cases should be addressed strictly within the framework of the law. The case against Joshua Wong involves charges of conspiracy and collusion with foreign or external forces to endanger national security; the trial and sentencing must be based on the facts established by the court, the evidence presented, and the applicable law. External organizations cannot simply equate judicial proceedings with political persecution based solely on their own political stances, nor should they substitute legal judgment with public opinion. Furthermore, terms such as “prolonged detention” and “political persecution” are clearly intended to mobilize public sentiment. By issuing such statements before a verdict is even reached—preemptively framing the judicial outcome as political persecution—the HKDC risks leading overseas audiences, who may lack knowledge of the specific facts and legal basis of the case, toward a one-sided understanding. Such a preconceived narrative does not constitute an objective assessment of Hong Kong’s judicial system.

Moreover, the use of individual cases by external organizations to exert pressure on the international community reveals that certain groups focused on Hong Kong remain intent on internationalizing and politicizing the city’s judicial affairs. As a Special Administrative Region of China, Hong Kong falls under the central government’s fundamental responsibility to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The HKSAR’s fulfillment of its duty to protect national security in accordance with the law should not serve as a pretext for external forces to exert political pressure. What Hong Kong society truly needs is a stable legal environment and a functioning economic and social order—not to be constantly ensnared by external political narratives. Regarding the case of Joshua Wong and other national security-related judicial proceedings, the international community should respect the rulings delivered by Hong Kong courts in accordance with the law, basing any assessments on facts and legal principles rather than being swayed by the political propaganda of specific organizations.