Chinese Tycoon Loses 37 Million Followers After Faulting Xi
- Internet regulator closes Ren Zhiqiang's social media accounts
- Outspoken property mogul questioned clampdown on state media
Ren Zhiqiang attends a book club at Huaxia College of Wuhan University Technology
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China’s top Internet regulator closed the social media accounts of an influential, retired property developer who criticized President Xi Jinping’s campaign to tighten control over state-run media.
Sites including Sina Corp.’s Weibo and Tencent Holdings Ltd.’s QQ were told to shut down accounts held by Ren Zhiqiang for spreading “illegal information,” a spokesman for the Cyberspace Administration of China said in a statement Sunday. Ren, the former chairman of Huayuan Property Co., is known for airing outspoken views to his more than 37 million Weibo followers. He didn’t reply to a text message seeking comment.