Hong Kong Alliance disbanded after decades organizing Tiananmen vigils
Convicted pro-democracy group that organized Tiananmen vigils dissolved amid security crackdown.
Event / Society
Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Activist Convictions
Hong Kong activists face imprisonment under national security law for organizing Tiananmen commemorations and political expression, with confiscation of related memorial materials and archives.
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2026-08-21 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 21 Aug, 13:53 UTC
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What happened
Alliance of Hong Kong disbanded after organizing annual Tiananmen vigils
The Alliance of Hong Kong, which organized annual candlelit vigils at Victoria Park to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, has been dissolved. The group also managed a museum dedicated to the Tiananmen events and maintained a statue titled 'Pillar of Shame' dedicated to victims.
Hong Kong authorities arrest 415 people under national security law
As of early August, Hong Kong authorities arrested 415 people under various national security provisions, of which 185 were convicted. The arrests followed implementation of the national security law in 2020.
Three Hong Kong activists sentenced to 5-7 years for Tiananmen commemoration
Lee Cheuk-yan (69), Chow Hang-tung (41), and Albert Ho (74) were sentenced on Friday to prison terms ranging from five years two months to seven years three months. Lee and Chow, who pleaded not guilty, received seven years and seven years three months respectively. Albert Ho, who pleaded guilty, received five years two months. All three were convicted of inciting subversion in August after being detained since their indictment in 2021.
Hong Kong authorities restrict public Tiananmen commemoration through national security law
Public commemoration of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, which resulted in hundreds to over a thousand deaths, has become de facto prohibited in Hong Kong since China imposed a national security law in 2020. Hong Kong and Macau were historically the only places in Chinese territory where such commemorations could occur publicly.
Danish artist condemns potential destruction of Tiananmen memorial statue
Jens Galschiot, the Danish artist who created the 'Pillar of Shame' statue, called the trial outcome and potential confiscation of his work 'scandalous,' stating that destroying it would amount to destroying history that everyone should know.
Court orders confiscation of 'Pillar of Shame' statue and Tiananmen museum archives
The court ruled that evidence in the case, including the 'Pillar of Shame' statue and archives from the Tiananmen museum, would be confiscated. Judge Alex Lee stated the statue's fate would be decided once ownership questions are resolved.
Hong Kong authorities offer reward for information on overseas activists
Hong Kong authorities separately offered rewards of 1 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $127,600 USD) for information leading to the arrests of Nathan Law, who moved to Britain, and other overseas-based activists.
Joshua Wong pleads guilty to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, 29, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security under Hong Kong's National Security Law. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, though pleading guilty typically results in a reduced sentence. Wong was accused of conspiring with fellow activist Nathan Law and others to urge foreign countries, institutions, organizations, or individuals to impose sanctions, blockades, or engage in other hostile measures against Hong Kong or China from July 1 to November 23, 2020.
Joshua Wong rises to prominence as high school protest leader in 2012
Joshua Wong rose to prominence in 2012 as a high school student leading protests against the introduction of national education in Hong Kong schools. His fame increased as a student leader of the 2014 Occupy Movement, where he became the international face of the Umbrella Movement, appearing on the cover of Time magazine in October 2014 under the headline 'The Face of Protest.'
Wong lobbied foreign governments for sanctions against Hong Kong and China
Joshua Wong and fellow activist Nathan Law agreed around 2016 to lobby internationally for democratic self-determination in Hong Kong. Before the 2020 National Security Law took effect, they sought foreign forces to impose sanctions, blockades, or engage in hostile measures against Hong Kong and China. Wong expressed support for reviewing Hong Kong's special status at a U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China hearing in 2019 and traveled to the United States, Germany, and Italy to lobby political leaders.
Wong shared petition calling on digital forensic companies to cease police cooperation
After the National Security Law took effect in 2020, Joshua Wong shared Law's online petition on Facebook urging digital forensic companies to stop cooperating with Hong Kong police. One company subsequently announced it would cease selling digital intelligence offerings to customers in Hong Kong and China. Prosecutors cited Wong's sharing of this petition as evidence of his efforts to bolster requests for hostile measures against Hong Kong and China.
2014 Umbrella Movement protests occupy Hong Kong for 79 days
During the 2014 Umbrella Movement, thousands of protesters occupied major roads across Hong Kong for 79 days demanding greater democracy. Joshua Wong served as a prominent student leader during these demonstrations.
Other Hong Kong activists jailed under National Security Law
Many other leading Hong Kong activists have been jailed under the National Security Law, including former media tycoon Jimmy Lai. Some activists have fled to other democratic countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
Joshua Wong sentenced to four years and eight months in separate national security case
Joshua Wong had previously been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty in November 2024 to conspiracy to commit subversion in connection with his role in an unofficial primary election. He has been continuously imprisoned since November 2020 and was originally due to be released in January 2027. The new guilty plea in the collusion case will add additional prison time to his existing sentence.
Wong co-founds Demosisto political party in 2016
Joshua Wong co-founded the political party Demosisto in 2016 with fellow young activists, including Nathan Law, who became Hong Kong's youngest lawmaker that same year. The party disbanded when Beijing imposed the National Security Law in 2020.
China's National Security Law imposed on Hong Kong in 2020
Beijing imposed a wide-ranging National Security Law on Hong Kong in 2020 following a year of anti-government protests and the 2019 demonstrations over a proposed extradition bill. Chinese authorities stated the law was necessary to restore stability to the international financial hub. Critics argue that six years after its implementation, the law continues to expand in scope and has effectively stifled Hong Kong's once-thriving pro-democracy movement.
Many Hong Kong activists jailed under national security law
Many leading pro-democracy activists were jailed under the national security law, including pro-democracy former media tycoon Jimmy Lai. Dozens of civil society groups also dissolved as a result of the political changes.
Hong Kong court convicts 2 pro-democracy activists of inciting subversion
Lee Cheuk-yan, 69, and Chow Hang-tung, 41, former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, were convicted of inciting subversion under Hong Kong's national security law. The court ruled that their call to "end one-party dictatorship" constituted an attempt to overturn the Communist Party's leadership through unlawful means. Both activists pleaded not guilty and face a maximum prison term of 10 years. They are expected to be sentenced at a later date.
Hong Kong Alliance votes to disband amid government pressure
The Hong Kong Alliance voted to disband in January 2026 amid mounting pressure from Hong Kong authorities. This occurred the same month the trial began against its former leaders.
Tiananmen Square crackdown occurred in 1989
Hundreds of people, and possibly thousands, were killed in 1989 when military tanks rolled into the center of Beijing during the crackdown. The event was a pivotal moment in China's modern history, determining that market reform would not be coupled with political liberalization.
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2 alternative perspectives
Three activists sentenced for Tiananmen commemoration under security law
Three activists sentenced 5-7 years for Tiananmen commemoration under Hong Kong's national security law.
From protest leader to convicted activist: Wong's path under security law
Decade-long activist trajectory from protest leader to national security conviction.
Joshua Wong sentenced to four years and eight months in national security case
Joshua Wong sentenced to four years and eight months for conspiracy to collude with foreign forces.
Hong Kong Alliance votes to disband amid intensifying government pressure
Hong Kong Alliance dissolves following government pressure and legal conviction.
Hong Kong court convicts activists under national security law expansion
Hong Kong court convicts pro-democracy activists under national security law; multiple cases ongoing.