Communist Party hits China’s ‘Donald Trump’ with probation over ‘improper’ remarks
Ren Zhiqiang given second-most severe penalty for serious violation of party discipline, authorities say, without identifying the offending comment
Outspoken tycoon Ren Zhiqiang has been slapped with a year of probation for remarks that ran counter to major Communist Party policies.
The party committee in Beijing’s Xicheng district said in a notice on Monday that Ren, the former head of Hua Yuan Property, had been placed on probation for seriously violating political discipline.
Ren, known as “Cannon Ren” for his outspoken comments, had on several occasions made improper remarks through online platforms such as microblogging site Weibo, according to the notice. It did not specify which of Ren’s remarks were said to be improper.
The notice said Ren had repeatedly posted comments online that violated the party’s “four basic principles”, as well as its policy and direction.
Ren’s Weibo account was shut down by the internet watchdog after he questioned President Xi Jinping’s remarks in February. He had 37 million followers on that account before it was closed.
In one post, Ren – who has also been called China’s Donald Trump – said that because state media was funded by taxpayers, it should serve the public rather than the party.
