HANGZHOU, Jan. 28 -- A Chinese man pleaded guilty to purposely setting a bus on fire in July of last year, which left 33 injured, including himself, during a trial session in the eastern province of Zhejiang on Wednesday.

Bao Laixu stands accused of arson in the provincial capital of Hangzhou on July 5, according to the city procuratorate.

Bao said that his crime was an expression of revenge on society and that he wanted to end his own life because of a tuberculosis relapse.

The defendant, who sustained such extensive burns he had to have his feet amputated, is still in hospital, along with two other passengers.

Despite his injuries, the city's intermediate people's court ruled that he was fit to stand trial and could make use of a bed during the court's sessions.

The sentence will be announced on a later date.