Zhu Hengpeng was deputy director of the Institute of Economics at the state-run Chinese Academy of Social Sciences ()CASS). CASS is China’s pre-eminent thinktanks.
He lost his job and was detained after he allegedly made some remarks in a private group chat on the WeChat mobile-messaging app that were critical of President Xi’s economic management:
- comments about China’s flagging economy
- veiled criticism of Xi that referred to his mortality
The probe coincided with an indoctrination campaign for CASS staff, aimed at enforcing compliance with Communist Party rules. Party members in leadership roles were required to sign formal pledges on instilling discipline and reminded to obey the “10 prohibitions,” a list of banned activities that includes publishing improper material and collaborating with foreign entities without approval.
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Info comes via the Wall Street Journal (gated, but here is the link if you can access it:
Top Economist in China Vanishes After Private WeChat Comments
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