A well-known economist in China has been put under investigation and removed from his jobs after he allegedly criticized the country’s leader, Xi Jinping. Zhu Hengpeng, who worked for over ten years as the deputy director at the Institute of Economics within the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), reportedly made these comments in a private chat group.
This incident comes at a time when the Chinese government is tightening its grip on negative comments about the country’s economy. Right now, China is facing serious economic troubles, with a slow recovery from a slump in the real estate market and low confidence from consumers and businesses. Many experts believe that these issues are made worse by Xi Jinping’s policies, which have focused on increasing state control and reducing what he sees as excessive capitalism, all while trying to protect China from foreign threats.
Under Xi’s leadership, the Communist Party has been cracking down on any dissenting voices. This includes not just economists like Zhu, but also influential business leaders and academics who have been jailed, forced into exile, or faced other harsh penalties for their criticisms. Furthermore, the government has imposed stricter rules on data sharing, making it difficult for investors and analysts to get the information they need to understand the economy.
Zhu, who is turning 55 this month, was detained earlier this year after allegedly making some unflattering remarks about China’s economy and Xi’s leadership in a private WeChat group chat. Some of his comments even hinted at Xi’s mortality, which might have sparked the investigation.
His name has now vanished from official lists at CASS and Tsinghua University, a prestigious institution in Beijing where he was also involved. CASS, which is closely linked to the government, provides advice on policy-making and has been enforcing strict adherence to Communist Party rules among its staff.
Recently, CASS initiated an indoctrination campaign to remind its members to follow the party’s guidelines. In a recent meeting, the president of CASS, Gao Xiang, emphasized that officials must be careful with their words and actions.
Zhu was last seen in public in April at a conference focused on elder care, where he suggested ways to improve China’s pension system. His ideas, which involved young people contributing to their parents’ pensions, sparked controversy online as many felt this would add to the financial burden of younger generations already struggling with high living costs and limited job opportunities.
Though he was scheduled to speak at another conference in May, his name was absent from the final list of participants, replaced by another academic, raising more questions about his status.
In August, CASS announced changes to its leadership, replacing key figures, but there was no official word on Zhu’s situation. The new leaders at CASS are known for their loyalty to Xi Jinping, suggesting a shift toward even more stringent control over academic freedom and expression.
As Zhu’s case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who dare to question the government in a country where criticism is increasingly silenced. The investigation of Zhu Hengpeng highlights the fragile state of dissent in China and the lengths the government will go to maintain control over the narrative regarding its economy.
