Joshua Wong Chi-fung (born 13 October 1996) is a prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and politician. He gained international recognition for his role in leading youth-driven movements advocating for democratic reforms in Hong Kong.

Early Life

Born in British Hong Kong, Joshua Wong was raised in a middle-class Christian family. Diagnosed with dyslexia in early childhood, he attended the United Christian College in Kowloon. His father, Roger Wong, a retired IT professional, often involved him in social outreach activities, fostering his early awareness of social issues.

Activism and Political Involvement

Wong's activism began in his early teens. In 2011, he co-founded Scholarism, a student activist group opposing the proposed Moral and National Education curriculum, which was perceived as pro-Beijing propaganda. The group's efforts led to the government's withdrawal of the curriculum.

In 2014, Wong became a leading figure in the Umbrella Movement, advocating for genuine universal suffrage in Hong Kong. His leadership and speeches galvanized thousands of protesters, bringing international attention to the movement.

In 2016, he co-founded Demosistō, a political party aiming to achieve democratic self-determination for Hong Kong. He served as its secretary-general until the party disbanded in 2020 following the implementation of the national security law.

Legal Challenges

Wong has faced multiple legal challenges due to his activism. In August 2017, he was sentenced to six months in prison for his role in the 2014 protests at Civic Square. He was imprisoned again in January 2018 for contempt of court related to the 2014 Mong Kok protests. In May 2019, he received a two-month sentence for his involvement in the same protests.

In June 2020, Wong announced his intention to run in the Legislative Council elections but was disqualified along with other pro-democracy candidates. On 30 June 2020, Demosistō disbanded in response to the new national security law.

International Recognition

Wong's activism has earned him international accolades. In 2014, TIME magazine named him one of the 25 most influential teens. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 and has been featured in various international media outlets for his role in advocating for democracy in Hong Kong.

References

1. Joshua Wong - Wikipedia
2. Demosistō - Wikipedia
3. Scholarism - Wikipedia
4. 2017 imprisonment of Hong Kong democracy activists - Wikipedia