Chinese Economist Vanishes After Criticizing Xi Jinping On WeChat, Name Removed From Prestigious Beijing University Think Tank

Zhu Hengpeng, a prominent economist at a top Chinese think tank, has reportedly been detained and stripped of his roles after allegedly criticizing President Xi Jinping’s economic policies.

What Happened: Zhu, who held the position of deputy director at the Institute of Economics at the state-run Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), is said to have made these comments in a private WeChat group chat. His remarks included subtle criticism of Xi and China’s struggling economy, reported The Wall Street Journal.