Chinese economist Zhu Hengpeng disappeared after criticizing Xi Jinping, the WSJ reported. He reportedly made comments on China's sluggish economy.

A top economist has joined the growing list of China’s elite to have disappeared from public life after criticizing Xi Jinping, according to The Wall Street Journal. 

Zhu Hengpeng served as deputy director of the Institute of Economics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) for around a decade.

CASS is a state research think tank that reports directly to China’s cabinet. Chen Daoyin, a former associate professor at Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, described it as a “body to formulate party ideology to support the leadership.”

According to the Journal, the 55-year-old disappeared shortly after remarking on China’s sluggish economy and criticizing Xi’s leadership in a private group on WeChat.

  • SkyezOpen@lemmy.worldEnglish
    299·
    2 months ago

    I’ll have you know that America did some bad stuff so that justifies literally any amount of authoritarianism from China.

    • Crikeste@lemm.eeEnglish
      46·
      2 months ago

      America doing ‘bad stuff’ is a comical understatement. Sure, the genocide of native Americans and chattel slavery is “bad”, but it is probably worse than general authoritarian actions. You seem to have them the other way around, or at least imply that.

      Both suck. Both have superiority complexes. I have to deal with American superiority complexes, so that paints me as “pro China”.

      I’m simply pro unity.

      • SkyezOpen@lemmy.worldEnglish
        84·
        2 months ago

        You seem to grasp and miss the point at the same time.

        When tankies are faced with terrible shit their government is currently doing, they bring up terrible stuff America did a hundred years ago as if that somehow justifies it. Yes, both things bad, but the second thing has zero bearing in relation to an article about China literally disappearing dissidents.

      • finitebanjo@lemmy.worldEnglish
        181·
        2 months ago

        They were being sarcastic and facetious. Tankies use a similar argument everytime somebody speaks ill of China.

        Examples:

        “TikTok is a military campaign proven to spy on messages and photos and send massive amounts of data to Chinese headquarters.”

        “OH OKAY but its fine when FaceBook and Google hand over info to the USA, is that it?”

        “Chinese hostile takeovers of Hong Kong, Tibet, and soon potential war with Taiwan and Philippines is worrying. World War 3 could be upon us.”

        “BuT nAtO anD IsrAeL eXiST!”