Chinesischer Top-Ökonom verschwindet nach Kritik an Xi Jinping

**From The Telegraph:**

A leading economist in China has vanished from public view after allegedly criticising [Xi Jinping’s handling of the country’s economy](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/08/27/why-china-faces-a-lost-decade-as-the-economy-drifts-into-do/) on a mobile messaging app.

Questions over Zhu Hengpeng’s whereabouts have arisen after he was detained by officials in spring and stripped of his role as deputy director at a prominent Chinese think tank.

This came after he allegedly scrutinised the Chinese president’s judgment in a private group chat on WeChat, according to the Wall Street Journal, which led to him being investigated.

He has not been seen in public since April, with his disappearance coinciding with Xi’s attempt to crackdown on dissent. 

It also comes as China, the world’s second largest economy, [battles a protracted slowdown](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/01/31/china-never-overtake-usa-worlds-biggest-economy-citi/) caused by turmoil across the country’s property sector.

This has led to economists raising fears over China’s debt levels and the government’s ability to hit its 5pc growth target.

President Xi’s efforts to boost the economy have been criticised by some as “insufficient”.

His latest attempt to stimulate growth came on Tuesday as the government announced [a fresh stimulus package](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/05/12/china-fortifying-economy-war-with-west/) alongside a series of rate cuts from the People’s Bank of China. 

This included freeing up banks to hold less cash in reserve. 

However, some analysts said it was “hardly a bazooka stimulus” and stressed that more fiscal support is needed.

Before being stripped of his role, Mr Zhu was the deputy director at the Institute of Economics at the state-run Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, which is responsible for advising the ruling Communist Party on policy. 

He worked at the organisation for more than two decades, focusing on public hospital reforms and medical security issues. 

He was also listed as an independent director at state-owned pharmaceutical firm China Meheco Group for two years until 2015.

His last known public appearance was in late April, speaking at an industry conference focusing on the senior living care system. 

More here: [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/09/24/top-china-economist-disappears-after-criticising-xi-jinping/](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/09/24/top-china-economist-disappears-after-criticising-xi-jinping/)

Criticizing Xi doesn’t seem like something a smart person would do. Sounds like someone broke him of that habit.

Following the same path as Russia I see

He knew speaking out would be risky, yet, he still had the balls to do it. That is one brave, soul.

Last time everyone made a big stink about a Chinese billionaire disappearing wasn’t he just chilling in Japan

In China, instead of “me, myself, and I”, it’s “me, myself, I, and the CCP”

Smart enough to be top economist, not smart enough to survive in authoritarian regime

I assume same place where the Boeing whistleblowers went 😉