Chinese Economist, Zhu Hengpeng , “Disappears” After Comment on President on WEChat

Zhu Hengpeng, a senior economist at China’s top government think tank, has disappeared.

He allegedly criticised President Xi Jinping in a private WeChat group. 

Background

Zhu, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (Cass) deputy director of the Institute of Economics, has not been seen since April 2024.

According to investigations, The Wall Street Journal Claims he was detained in April and hasn’t been seen since he spoke at an event he did before going in.

 Zhu Hengpeng was reported to have criticised China’s economic policies and possibly referenced Xi directly.

In response, He was detained and stripped of his positions. This highlights the growing crackdown on disagreement under Xi’s increasingly authoritarian regime.

Zhu’s disappearance comes amid concerns over China’s economic slowdown, particularly in the property market. 

China’s economy is under significant strain, with fears it may not reach its 5% growth target. Recently, the central bank rolled out stimulus measures, but these have been met with scepticism over their effectiveness.

The crackdown on intellectual disagreement is seen as part of the government’s attempt to control narratives surrounding the country’s economic struggles.

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a think tank that reports directly to China’s State Council, has faced internal reshuffling. Two other senior officials were reassigned in light of Zhu’s controversy.

However, Zhu Hengpeng’s fate appears more severe.  He has not been publicly seen or reassigned, and websites affiliated with his academic work have been taken down.

The disappearance of a high-ranking economist like Zhu echoes the growing repression of academic and intellectual freedom under Xi’s leadership.

Zhu Hengpeng’s Case Illustrates Lack of Digital Privacy in China

Zhu Hengpeng’s alleged criticism of Xi in private chat spaces also demonstrates the heightened censorship in China’s digital landscape.

WeChat, a widely used messaging platform in China, is heavily monitored by state authorities.

This makes private conversations subject to government surveillance.

Academics have become increasingly wary of openly discussing sensitive topics, such as economic issues, out of fear of political repercussions.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has faced increasing hostility under Xi Jinping from those who disagree with it and criticize it.

This case highlights the dangers intellectuals and professionals face in the nation, where party loyalty is frequently enforced with severe penalties.

The Cass has prioritized political loyalty, organizing meetings that emphasize adherence to Xi Jinping Thought, a political ideology centred on Xi’s leadership.

The world’s second-largest economy is navigating a turbulent period, and the leadership’s crackdown on disagreement is intensifying as economic challenges mount. 

While Zhu’s exact whereabouts remain unknown, his case underscores the dangers facing those who express criticism in the increasingly authoritarian political environment of China.

 

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