Chinese journalist jailed for defamation after writing exposés on state firm Zoomlion

A Chinese investigative journalist who wrote reports critical of a state-controlled construction equipment maker has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of defamation and bribery, according to state media on Friday.

A court in Changsha, capital of central Hunan province, has found Chen Yongzhou guilty of "fabricating and spreading falsehoods to damage the business reputation of others", state news agency Xinhua reported.

Last year, Chen published stories in New Express, a state-backed tabloid based in the southern city of Guangzhou, alleging that Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology had engaged in sales fraud, exaggerated its profits and used public relations to defame its competitors.

The Changsha-based company has denied the allegations.

Chen was then detained by police on suspicion of tarnishing the reputation of Zoomlion. He later appeared on state television confessing that he had accepted bribes for fabricating stories on the company.

A Zoomlion employee has publicly accused the company’s hometown competitor, Sany Group, of planting those stories. Sany has denied any wrongdoing.