Notable #MeToo figure and journalist Sophia Huang Xueqin has been sentenced to five years in jail by a southern Chinese court, following her conviction for “inciting subversion of state power”.

Labour rights advocate Wang Jianbing, who faced trial alongside Huang, was given a three years and six months prison term by the Guangzhou Intermediate Court on Friday, as per a statement issued by the Free Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing group.

The group revealed that 35-year-old Huang intends to challenge the court's decision. Details on whether 40-year-old Wang plans to appeal have not been disclosed.

“The severity of the sentence was unexpected,” a group spokesperson informed Reuters, preferring anonymity due to security concerns. “We believe the punishment is overly harsh and unnecessary, and thus, we fully support Huang Xueqin’s decision to appeal.”

Prior to their detention in September 2021, Huang was active in several #MeToo initiatives in China, offering aid to victims of sexual abuse and harassment. Wang also supported the #MeToo movement and provided legal assistance to individuals with disabilities and workers afflicted by occupational diseases.

Last year, Huang and Wang faced a closed trial on charges related to their organizational activities, including regular meetings with other activists and online human rights education efforts.

Reports from Amnesty indicate that police summoned many of their associates, conducting home searches and seizing electronic devices.

The pair, backed by their supporters, maintains their innocence.

“Tomorrow will mark one thousand days since Sophia Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing were detained,” said Sarah Brooks, Amnesty’s China Director. “These convictions will extend their unjust imprisonment and further chill human rights and advocacy activities in China, where activists increasingly face state repression.”

Reuters reported a significant police presence around the Guangzhou People's Intermediate Court on Friday morning, with officers questioning passersby.

“Inciting subversion of state power” is a charge frequently levied by the Chinese authorities against dissenters, punishable by up to five years in prison, or more in cases seen as severe or led by orchestrators.

Saying that the convictions are unfounded and malicious, Brooks demanded the immediate release of Huang and Wang. “These cases underscore the Chinese government’s fear of a new wave of activists advocating for others' rights,” she noted.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded in 2022 that Wang was being wrongfully detained and has repeatedly urged China to either abolish the “inciting subversion” charge or align it with international standards.

Huang, who covered the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests five years ago, was also detained by Chinese authorities for three months in late 2019 on allegations of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”.