How a public spat exposed China's exclusive 'Facebook' for business elites

A quarrel among China's business elites has pulled back the curtain on an exclusive online social network site and exposed the traits of some of its members.

The social network, whose membership has snowballed since it launched in June 2012, offers business leaders a casual environment where personal views are exchanged in strict confidence – until recently.

Last month, outspoken fund manager Wang Ying challenged Lenovo founder Liu Chuanzhi after Liu told some members at a social gathering organised by Zhenghe to “stay out of politics and talk only business”.

The remark later became the official position of Zhenghe Island, which prompted Wang to leave because she believes it is impossible to avoid politics while doing business in China.

The controversy escalated last week when Wang posted a public statement online to say she was withdrawing from the site and to further criticise Liu’s remark.

“I am not one of the entrepreneurs who do not talk politics, and I do not believe China’s business owners will survive if they kneel,” she said in her statement.