Posted on 02/29/2016 4:43:29 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster
China's 'Donald Trump' silenced: latest crackdown sparks fear -- and mockery
By Simon Denyer February 29 at 5:27 AM
You like potato, I like potahto. But if the Communist Party tells us to call it a radish, then a radish it is.
China's war on free speech -- and the silencing of an influential real estate tycoon who some have nicknamed China's "Donald Trump" for his outspoken views - has sparked some dark humor online. But in amongst the jokes about vegetables, there is also a genuine unease and fear.
Retired property developer and celebrity blogger Ren Zhiqiang faced virulent criticism in Party-controlled media last week for some blunt criticism of President Xi Jinping's tightening of media controls. More commonly nicknamed "Cannon Ren" for his provocative political opinions, the tycoon had 38 million followers on weibo - until China's top Internet regulator ordered his account to be closed on Sunday.
With capital already flowing out of the country at an alarming rate, and private investment growth sluggish, some commentators said the attack on such an influential figure was a dangerous signal to send to an already nervous business elite.
"This may be a more chilling and alarming event for tycoons and Beijing elite than anything that has happened in years, or at least since the assault on the hyper-connected CITIC Securities," wrote Bill Bishop in his influential Sinocism newsletter. "If Xi wants to encourage more capital flight this is one way to do it..."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
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