Chinese Economist Disappears After Criticizing Xi Jinping in Private Chat Group

 

A prominent Chinese economist, Zhu Hengpeng, has reportedly gone missing after allegedly facing disciplinary actions for criticizing President Xi Jinping in a private WeChat group. Zhu, 55, is believed to have made critical remarks about China’s economy and possibly Xi himself. According to the Wall Street Journal, Zhu was detained in April and placed under investigation.

Zhu had been working at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) for over 20 years, holding roles such as deputy director of the Institute of Economics and director of the Public Policy Research Center. He has not been seen publicly since April, when he last participated in an event organized by Chinese media outlet Caixin. Attempts to reach him have been unsuccessful, and CASS has not responded to inquiries.

Hong Kong media recently reported a reshuffle within CASS leadership, with other senior officials being reassigned, while Zhu was stripped of his position and removed from the CASS website. Additionally, websites related to his work at Tsinghua University have been taken down.

CASS, a key think tank in China, advises the government on policy matters. However, under Xi Jinping’s increasingly authoritarian regime, dissent within academia has been stifled. Academics have expressed fears of retaliation for discussing negative aspects of China’s economy or leadership.

CASS has emphasized political loyalty in recent internal meetings, with a focus on adhering to "Xi Jinping Thought," the leader's enshrined political ideology. Specifics of Zhu's remarks in the private chat group are unclear, though it has been reported that he discussed central policies inappropriately and possibly mentioned Xi’s mortality.

This incident comes at a time when China’s economy is under strain, with concerns that it may fail to meet its 5% annual growth target. The government has introduced stimulus measures, but experts fear they may not be enough to boost growth. A crisis in the property market has further complicated the situation, with authorities hesitant to cut borrowing costs significantly to avoid triggering a new housing bubble.