A court in China has sentenced a female journalist who led the country's #MeToo movement to jail, as well as a labor activist who worked with her.

A website supporting human rights activities in the country says the ruling came on Friday in Guangzhou. The two were reportedly found guilty of inciting subversion of state power.

The website says freelance journalist Huang Xueqin was sentenced to prison for five years, and labor activist Wang Jianbing for three and a half years.

Huang is known for her investigative reporting of sexual harassment cases.

Chinese authorities are believed to have taken issue with weekly meetings Huang and Wang held to discuss social issues.

More than 30 international organizations appealed for their immediate release last September.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said anyone who breaks the law faces punishment.

He also said Beijing firmly opposes any country or organization that challenges China's judicial sovereignty and interferes in the country's internal affairs.