Is China silencing dissent? Top economist ‘disappears’ after detention for criticizing Xi Jinping

Zhu Hengpeng, a well-known Chinese economist and deputy director of the government-sponsored Institute of Economics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, was reportedly detained after some remarks he posted on his WeChat account that criticized the Chinese economy under President Xi Jinping. According to sources, He was accused of criticizing Xi Jinping’s economic management and has not been seen publicly since last year.

Zhu, 55, has a long-standing career at CASS, spanning over two decades, where he has served in various leadership roles, including director of the Public Policy Research Center. Zhu’s last known public appearance was in April, at an event organized by the media outlet Caixin. The Wall Street Journal reported that Zhu was “placed under investigation, detained and removed from his posts,” citing individuals familiar with the matter.

Since the investigation, Zhu has vanished from public view, sparking concerns about the implications of his comments on the state of the Chinese economy and possibly about Xi himself.

This incident follows reports of a leadership shake-up within the Institute of Economics, as both its director and secretary were reportedly removed alongside Zhu. Notably, Zhu is no longer listed on the CASS website, and information about his work at Tsinghua University has also disappeared, It may be part of a larger effort to erase his presence from public accounts.

Earlier, CASS, reporting directly to the Chinese Communist Party and State Council, was known for honest analysis and opinions. Under Xi, however, any questioning of government policies or the president himself carries a big risk. China has continued to clamp down on speech across all platforms, even private communications, through apps like WeChat.

While the specifics of Zhu’s comments remain unclear, reports suggest they pertained to “improperly discussed central policies” and possibly even referenced Xi’s health. His disappearance comes at a crucial time as the Chinese Central Bank, which controlled all monetary policy decisions, has launched an immense stimulus package, including cuts in interest rates, as its economy struggles to meet the modest five percent GDP growth targets for this year.

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