China jails three anti-corruption activists

Three Chinese activists who campaigned for government officials to disclose their wealth were jailed on Thursday in the culmination of a high-profile trial that underscores Beijing's resolve to clamp down on dissent.

Wei Zhongping and Liu Ping, associated with the New Citizens' Movement, were given six-and-a-half years in jail. A third activist, Li Sihua, received a shorter sentence.

The three were convicted of the broad charge of "creating a disturbance".

Liu and Wei were convicted of other charges, which Amnesty International said included "gathering a crowd to disrupt order in a public place" and "using an evil cult to undermine law enforcement".

The activists were among more than a dozen detained in recent months for their anti-corruption activism. Rights groups say the crackdown on the group throws into sharp relief the limits of President Xi Jinping's campaign against graft.