What's happened
Zhu Hengpeng, a prominent economist at China's Academy of Social Sciences, has vanished after allegedly criticizing President Xi Jinping's economic policies in a private WeChat group. His disappearance follows a broader crackdown on dissent amid concerns over China's sluggish economy, which is struggling to meet growth targets.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Shweta Sharma in The Independent, Zhu Hengpeng was detained after making disparaging remarks about China's economy and Xi Jinping in a private WeChat group. The Wall Street Journal corroborates this, noting that Zhu has not been seen since April and that his name has been removed from official listings. Helen Davidson from The Guardian highlights the broader implications of Zhu's case, emphasizing the fear among academics regarding discussing negative assessments of China's situation. Business Insider UK adds that Zhu's disappearance aligns with Xi's intensified crackdown on criticism, suggesting a chilling effect on public discourse.
How we got here
Zhu Hengpeng, 55, served as deputy director at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences for over a decade. His disappearance comes amid increasing authoritarianism under Xi Jinping, where criticism of the government is met with severe repercussions.
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