China rights lawyer trial held behind closed doors

The trial of a prominent Chinese human rights lawyer took place Wednesday but was closed to the public because of "state secrets", a northern Chinese court said.

Wang Quanzhang, 42, who defended political activists and victims of land seizures, disappeared in a 2015 sweep -- known as the "709" crackdown -- aimed at courtroom critics of Communist authorities.

Charged in January 2016 with alleged "subversion of state power", Wang had been in legal limbo -- detained without a trial date -- until Monday, when his government-appointed lawyer finally contacted his wife with the court date.

"The defendant... was tried in the first instance of the Tianjin Second Intermediate People's Court today," the court said in a statement.

"Due to the state secrets involved, the court decided not to open the trial to the public. The verdict in this case will be pronounced at a later date."