Fang Zhouzi, a biochemist and supporter of GM technology, applied to sue the former host of China Central Television Cui Yongyuan for libel on Wednesday.

A lawyer representing Fang handed the indictment and relative materials to Beijing Haidian District People's Court at around 2 pm, according to the court's official micro blog.

The court said it is now examining the indictment according to the law.

Fang and Cui have been engaged in a dispute online for months after Fang encouraged netizens to try the GM corns on his micro blog, saying GM technology has been proved and the news that mice got cancer after eating GM corns is a rumor.

"You (Fang Zhouzi) can say you know science, I have my reason and my right to doubt if the 'science' you claim to know is scientific or not," Cui told Fang.

Fang said in his micro blog on Monday that he will sue Cui for libel and has asked for 300,000 yuan ($49,620) in compensation.

"Cui should also delete his posts and apologize to me in a newspaper," Fang wrote.

"I think your responsibility of winning the lawsuit is zero," Cui told Fang.