The show of support for Wang came despite the detentions of at least ten leading activists in Hangzhou. The defense lawyer hired for Wang was ordered off the case after being held temporarily, and family members say others were pressured not to defend either man. The trials began a day before a major Communist Party gathering in Beijing to celebrate the achievements of 20 years of economic reform. The timing of the events highlights the widening gap between growing social and economic freedom in China and a closed political system that deals harshly with dissent. In a symbolic gesture, Wei Jingsheng and other leading dissidents living in exile said they would stage a 24-hour hunger strike.
China contends that the trials are for criminal acts and have nothing to do with human rights.
A third leading figure, Xu Wenli, also has been detained, but not charged. Wang and Qin are the most well-known dissidents China has put on trial since Tiananmen Square student leader Wang Dan in 1996. He was convicted of subversion and served less than two of an 11-year sentence. In return for his release, he agreed to go into exile. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.