Taiwan's presidential office backs Joshua Wong, urges China to stop persecuting democracy activists
Taiwan has publicly sided with jailed Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong, who faces a possible life sentence — a sharp signal that Taipei sees Hong Kong's fate as a warning about Beijing's promises.
- Joshua Wong is charged under Hong Kong's national security law with conspiring with foreign forces, and could be jailed for life.
- Taiwan's presidential office called on Beijing to stop silencing dissent in the name of national security and to free those it has wrongly locked up.
- Taipei says China and the Hong Kong government have used the security law as a tool to endlessly prosecute Wong and other activists, wrecking Hong Kong's courts and rule of law.
- The case is being held up as a global example of what political crackdown looks like — bad for Hong Kong's remaining activists, and useful ammunition for Taiwan.
Outlook: Wong's trial will likely end in a heavy sentence, hardening Taiwan's argument that Beijing's guarantees cannot be trusted.