Chinese Real Estate Tycoon Criticizing Xi Jinping Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison

Former Chairman Hwa Won of Runschang Charged with Embezzlement, Bribery, and Misappropriation of Public Funds
"Criticism that the 'Emperor' Showing New Clothes Is Not Standing, but the 'Naked Clown' Continues to Claim to Be Emperor"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] A Chinese real estate tycoon who was investigated by Chinese authorities after criticizing Chinese President Xi Jinping's response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.

According to Beijing Daily on the 22nd, the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court sentenced Ren Zhiqiang (任志强), former chairman of the state-owned real estate development company Huayuan (華遠) Group, to 18 years in prison and a fine of 4.2 million yuan (approximately 720 million KRW) for embezzlement, bribery, misappropriation of public funds, and abuse of power.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The court explained that the sentence was given considering that former Chairman Ren admitted to all his crimes.

Former Chairman Ren also accepted the court's ruling and decided not to file an appeal.

Previously, Ren was expelled from the Communist Party for damaging the dignity of party members by using public funds for personal leisure activities and purchasing golf membership cards.

Although the Chinese court cited Ren's corrupt acts as the official reason for the sentence, analysis suggests that the main cause was his criticism of President Xi Jinping.

In February, Ren posted a critical article about President Xi convening party cadres and officials for a video conference to respond to COVID-19, which led to an investigation by the Beijing Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission.

In the post, Ren targeted President Xi, stating, "It is not an emperor showing off new clothes standing there, but a 'naked clown' who keeps insisting he is the emperor."

He also claimed, "A 'governance crisis' within the Chinese Communist Party has been revealed," and argued, "Because there is no freedom of the press and expression, the early control of COVID-19 failed, and the situation worsened."