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China corruption: US ambassador calls for campaigners' release
The US ambassador in Beijing, Gary Locke, said the cases were "retribution for their campaigns to expose official corruption".
His statement came as two more activists appeared in court.
Zhao Changquing and Hou Xin are members of a group which wants Chinese leaders to declare their assets.
Mr Zhao, a veteran dissident who has served time in jail, is charged with disturbing public order and faces a possible five-year sentence.
A member of the New Citizens Movement, his case was adjourned after he dismissed his legal team in a move to delay the case, one of his lawyers, Zhang Xuezhong said.
Mr Zhao pleaded not guilty and told the court "all his actions, including promoting the asset disclosure of officials" were "legitimate and legal", according to Mr Zhang.
Hou Xin, on bail for health reasons, also pleaded not guilty, her lawyer said.
The founder of the New Citizens Movement, Xu Zhiyong, appeared in court on Wednesday.
A known legal scholar, Mr Xu also campaigned on behalf of inmates on death row and families affected by tainted baby milk formula in 2009.
At his trial, he initially refused to speak in court because he viewed the proceedings as illegal, his lawyer said.
BBC News - China corruption: US ambassador calls for campaigners' release
His statement came as two more activists appeared in court.
Zhao Changquing and Hou Xin are members of a group which wants Chinese leaders to declare their assets.
Mr Zhao, a veteran dissident who has served time in jail, is charged with disturbing public order and faces a possible five-year sentence.
A member of the New Citizens Movement, his case was adjourned after he dismissed his legal team in a move to delay the case, one of his lawyers, Zhang Xuezhong said.
Mr Zhao pleaded not guilty and told the court "all his actions, including promoting the asset disclosure of officials" were "legitimate and legal", according to Mr Zhang.
Hou Xin, on bail for health reasons, also pleaded not guilty, her lawyer said.
The founder of the New Citizens Movement, Xu Zhiyong, appeared in court on Wednesday.
A known legal scholar, Mr Xu also campaigned on behalf of inmates on death row and families affected by tainted baby milk formula in 2009.
At his trial, he initially refused to speak in court because he viewed the proceedings as illegal, his lawyer said.
BBC News - China corruption: US ambassador calls for campaigners' release
