A Chinese businessman who's charged with trying to overthrow the government with the help of the internet system, goes on trial later today.

The man Mr Lin Hai is accused of giving the e-mail addresses of some thirty thousand Chinese computer users to a pro-democracy magazine based in the United States.

The BBC East Asia reporter says the seriousness of the charges levelled against the businessman indicate the government's mounting fears about electronic information, and its inability to control the internet.

The man, who ran a computer software company until his arrest, is believed to be the first person in China to be charged with internet subversion.

He could face a life sentence.