"Chinese University Professor Who Criticized Xi Jinping Fired"

[Asia Economy Reporter Sung Ki-ho] A university professor who criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping's response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was reportedly dismissed, according to Hong Kong media on the 14th.

According to the report, Xu Jianglun, a reform-minded intellectual and professor at Tsinghua University Law School, was arrested by police at his Beijing residence on the 6th and released on the 12th, but acquaintances said that Tsinghua University authorities dismissed him the following day.

One of Xu Jianglun's acquaintances said, "It is certain that he was dismissed, and I learned about it last night," adding, "I do not yet know the reason for the dismissal or whether the reason is justified."

Xu Jianglun was arrested by police on charges of soliciting prostitution in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, but his acquaintances strongly denied this.

Since 2013, Xu Jianglun has continuously published writings demanding political reform in China. As a result, he was suspended from Tsinghua University in March last year. However, undeterred, he published a piece earlier this year criticizing the Chinese leadership's response to COVID-19 titled "The Angry People Are No Longer Afraid."