SHANGHAI, Mar 20 -- THE former editor-in-chief of a Chinese Website has been given a six-year prison term for subversion, the Ningbo Intermediate People's Court in east China's Zhejiang Province said.

The court ruled yesterday that Zhang Jianhong, former editor-in-chief of a Website named "Aiqinhai," or "Aegean Sea," had written articles which defamed the Chinese government and amounted to agitation aimed at toppling the government.

After his Website was shut down and he was punished for illegal practices, Zhang had published more than 110 articles under the pseudonym "Lihong" on overseas Websites from May to September 2006, the court said.

A court statement said that in more than 60 articles, Zhang had slandered the government and China's social system to vent his discontent with the government.

The court also deprived Zhang of his political rights for one year.

The statement said the court had showed leniency in the trial as Zhang showed remorse after his arrest. Zhang was unemployed after his Website was closed.

(Xinhua)