A former Chinese lawyer pleaded guilty to subversion and "disrupting court order" - a charge similar to contempt of court - during a hearing in Hunan province on Monday.

Xie Yang, 45, showed remorse for his crimes at Changsha Intermediate People's Court and denied claims that he was tortured while in police detention.

"What I did went against my identity as a lawyer. These actions tainted the image of the country and the Communist Party, and had a very negative effect," he said. "I hope the judicial authorities can give me an opportunity to correct my mistakes and start anew."