According to The Wall Street Journal, Zhu Hengpeng, a prominent economist, has vanished from public view after criticizing Xi Jinping. Zhu, who served as the deputy director of the Institute of Economics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) for nearly ten years, reportedly made critical remarks about China’s economy and Xi’s leadership in a private WeChat group.
CASS, a state research think tank that reports directly to China’s cabinet, is described by Chen Daoyin, a former associate professor at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, as an institution that formulates party ideology to support the leadership.
The Journal reports that the 55-year-old economist disappeared shortly after his comments, and sources indicate that he was investigated, removed from his positions, and detained. Zhu’s name has also been removed from the staff list of a think tank affiliated with Beijing’s Tsinghua University. His last known public appearance was in late April.
Efforts by the publication and Business Insider to contact Zhu or confirm his legal representation have been unsuccessful. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the State Council Information Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Zhu’s disappearance is part of a broader crackdown by Xi on dissent and criticism of his leadership. Notably, Alibaba cofounder Jack Ma vanished from public life in late 2020 after criticizing Chinese regulators. In a similar vein, Defense Minister Gen. Li Shangfu was removed from office without explanation last year, following an investigation for corruption, according to U.S. officials. He has not been seen publicly since late August 2023.
A BBC report from February highlighted that many of China’s elite, who are often Communist Party members, face increasing risks of being caught up in Xi’s anti-corruption campaign. The report noted that the Anti-Corruption Commission has the power to detain individuals, and while families are supposed to be informed of their loved ones’ whereabouts, this is not always the case.