A lawyer accused of trying to subvert State power pleaded guilty at a court in Tianjin on Thursday morning.

The trial of Zhou Shifeng, former director of Beijing Fengrui Law Firm, is part of a high-profile case that involved a group of activists who allegedly manipulated public opinion to spread subversive comments. The case is being heard at Tianjin No 2 Intermediate People's Court.

The firm was shut down last year for allegedly disturbing public order and making profits by hiring protesters to influence court decisions.

Prosecutors said Zhou made use of the firm to encourage others to post anti-government comments online and had organized paid protesters to create social conflict since 2011.

Zhou also allegedly colluded with Hu Shigen, leader of an illegal organization, and activists Li Heping and Zhai Yanmin to discuss how to subvert State power and the country's legal system, the prosecutors said.

Hu and Zhai were sentenced to seven-and-a-half years and three years in jail with a four-year reprieve respectively, for subversion earlier this week.

Li is being prosecuted in a separate case.