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China muzzles The Cannon after tycoon's criticism of media clampdown China muzzles The Cannon after tycoon's criticism of media clampdown
(35 minutes later)
Chinese authorities have shut down the social media accounts of a tycoon nicknamed “The Cannon” after he criticised the ruling Communist party’s tightening grip on the media.Chinese authorities have shut down the social media accounts of a tycoon nicknamed “The Cannon” after he criticised the ruling Communist party’s tightening grip on the media.
The move by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) against Ren Zhiqiang came just over a week after President Xi Jinping visited state media and ordered them to follow the party line more closely. The move by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) against Ren Zhiqiang came just over a week after the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, visited state media and ordered them to follow the party line more closely.
The internet regulator ordered the microblogging platforms of Sina and Tencent to shut down Ren’s accounts “for spreading illegal information”, the state news agency Xinhua reported.The internet regulator ordered the microblogging platforms of Sina and Tencent to shut down Ren’s accounts “for spreading illegal information”, the state news agency Xinhua reported.
“Cyberspace is not a lawless field and it should not be used to spread illegal information by anyone,” said a CAC spokesperson, Jiang Jun.“Cyberspace is not a lawless field and it should not be used to spread illegal information by anyone,” said a CAC spokesperson, Jiang Jun.
Ren’s accounts were closed after users reported that he had regularly posted illegal information, “resulting in a vile influence”, according to Jiang.Ren’s accounts were closed after users reported that he had regularly posted illegal information, “resulting in a vile influence”, according to Jiang.
The spokesperson said celebrity microbloggers should “shoulder their due social responsibilities and promote ’positive energy’ actively”. The spokesperson said celebrity microbloggers should “shoulder their due social responsibilities and promote ‘positive energy’ actively”.
Last Monday Ren, who earned his nickname for his provocative opinions and blunt defences of economic inequality, was the target of columns in the state-affiliated news portal Qianlong for questioning on social media whether public money should be spent on party propaganda.Last Monday Ren, who earned his nickname for his provocative opinions and blunt defences of economic inequality, was the target of columns in the state-affiliated news portal Qianlong for questioning on social media whether public money should be spent on party propaganda.
“When did the people’s government change into the party’s government?” the commentary quoted Ren’s since-deleted post as saying. “Is their money the party’s? … Don’t use taxpayers’ money for things that don’t provide them with services.”“When did the people’s government change into the party’s government?” the commentary quoted Ren’s since-deleted post as saying. “Is their money the party’s? … Don’t use taxpayers’ money for things that don’t provide them with services.”
One of the Qianlong articles, headlined “Who gave Ren the confidence to oppose the party”, accused the businessman of making capitalist arguments and pursuing western constitutionalism. The other castigated him for failing to defend the interests of the party of which he is a member.One of the Qianlong articles, headlined “Who gave Ren the confidence to oppose the party”, accused the businessman of making capitalist arguments and pursuing western constitutionalism. The other castigated him for failing to defend the interests of the party of which he is a member.
The party tolerates no opposition to its rule and newspapers, websites and broadcast media are strictly controlled. An army of censors patrols social media and many western news websites are blocked.The party tolerates no opposition to its rule and newspapers, websites and broadcast media are strictly controlled. An army of censors patrols social media and many western news websites are blocked.
Ren has previously drawn flak for calling the state-run broadcaster CCTV “the dumbest pig on earth” and for his blunt statements defending high property prices.Ren has previously drawn flak for calling the state-run broadcaster CCTV “the dumbest pig on earth” and for his blunt statements defending high property prices.
He retired from his Beijing-based property company in 2014 and has a following on Sina Weibo of 37 million.He retired from his Beijing-based property company in 2014 and has a following on Sina Weibo of 37 million.