Outspoken tycoon makes first public appearance since Communist Party slapped him with probation
Ren Zhiqiang was punished over remarks he made about the Communist Party and state media on his Weibo
Beijing-based property tycoon Ren Zhiqiang made his first public appearance on Sunday after he was slapped with a year of probation for remarks that ran counter to major Communist Party policies.
A report by Sina.com said Ren attended a forum featuring environmentally friendly enterprises.
“In a bid to force those polluting enterprises, we say no to them in the production course, which means we would no longer purchase your products,” Ren was quoted as saying.
Controversy? What controversy? Cone of silence over muzzling of tycoon Ren Zhiqiang
“Products supplied should meet the green standard in the first place. Secondly, the production process of the products should be ecologically friendly.”
Dubbed “Ren Cannon”, Ren wrote in one post in his Weibo account in February that as state media was funded by public coffers, it should serve the public rather than the party.
When does the people’s government turn into the party’s government
When does the people’s government turn into the party’s government? [Are the media] funded by party membership dues? Don’t waste taxpayers’ money on things that do not provide them with services.”