Head of China’s aerospace investment firm arrested over alleged assault on scientists

China Aerospace Investment Holdings chairman Zhang Tao faces charges of intentional assault after scientists aged 85 and 54 were hurt on June 6

Internet users ask why it took so long for the incident to be made public and who ordered censorship of social media posts relating to Zhang

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Zhang Tao, who was chairman and party secretary of China Aerospace Investment Holdings, has been arrested in Beijing over alleged assaults on two scientists. Photo: Handout

Published: 3:24pm, 20 Jul 2021Updated: 10:02pm, 20 Jul 2021

The chairman of a China’s state-owned aerospace investment firm who allegedly beat up two senior scientists has been formally arrested by Beijing police.

Zhang Tao was also dismissed by his company, China Aerospace Investment Holdings, and expelled from the Communist Party, state media reported on Monday.

Zhang Tao was the chairman and party secretary of China Aerospace Investment Holdings. Photo: Handout

The report said Zhang, 57, faced charges of intentional assault.

Zhang’s arrest came two weeks after he was detained for allegedly assaulting Wang Jinnian, a 54-year-old scientist, during an argument outside Wang’s home in early June. The police said another scientist, Wu Meirong, 85, was injured when she tried to intervene during the argument.

Wang Jinnian (left) and Wu Meirong. Photo: Handout

Both Wang and Wu are members of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), an international non-governmental organisation based in Stockholm. Wu is on the IAA’s board of trustees.

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