Chinese tycoon Ren Zhiqiang who called President Xi Jinping a "clown" has been&nbsp;jailed for 18 years over&nbsp;corruption, bribery and embezzlement of public funds.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-critic-who-called-president-xi-a-clown-being-investigated-by-communist-party-291294">Also Read:&nbsp;China critic who called President Xi a 'clown' being investigated by Communist Party</a>

Ren had criticised China's response to the coronavirus pandemic under President Xi in an essay. He then mysteriously&nbsp;disappeared in March.

Ren,69, was the former chairman of state-owned Huayuan and considered to be in China's Communist Party's inner circle. He was charged with embezzling $7.4 million in public funds and accepting bribes. He was fined $620,000.

According to Chinese government statement Ren "voluntarily and truthfully confessed all his crimes". The verdict also accused him of abusing power at Huayuan.

"This epidemic has revealed the fact that the Party and government officials only care about protecting their own interests, and the monarch only cares about protecting their interests and core position," Ren had said, adding,"standing there was not an emperor showing off his new clothes, but a clown stripped of clothes who insisted on being an emperor."

Ren had earlier called for greater freedom of the press, however, authorities closed his Weibo account.

Chinese tycoon Ren Zhiqiang who called President Xi Jinping a "clown" has been jailed for 18 years over corruption, bribery and embezzlement of public funds. Also Read: China critic who called President Xi a 'clown' being investigated by Communist Party Ren had criticised China's response to the coronavirus pandemic under President Xi in an essay.

Chinese tycoon Ren Zhiqiang who called President Xi Jinping a "clown" has been jailed for 18 years over corruption, bribery and embezzlement of public funds. Also Read: China critic who called President Xi a 'clown' being investigated by Communist Party Ren had criticised China's response to the coronavirus pandemic under President Xi in an essay. He then mysteriously disappeared in March. Ren,69, was the former chairman of state-owned Huayuan and considered to be in China's Communist Party's inner circle. He was charged with embezzling $7.4 million in public funds and accepting bribes. He was fined $620,000. According to Chinese government statement Ren "voluntarily and truthfully confessed all his crimes". The verdict also accused him of abusing power at Huayuan. "This epidemic has revealed the fact that the Party and government officials only care about protecting their own interests, and the monarch only cares about protecting their interests and core position," Ren had said, adding,"standing there was not an emperor showing off his new clothes, but a clown stripped of clothes who insisted on being an emperor." Ren had earlier called for greater freedom of the press, however, authorities closed his Weibo account.

China jails property tycoon who called Xi a 'clown'

Is criticising Xi Jinping crossing political line in China? Get to know in this video..

Is criticising Xi Jinping crossing political line in China?

Ren Zhiqiang, the former chairman of state-controlled property developer Huayuan Real Estate Group, has been ousted from China's ruling Communist Party, a notice from the Beijing district government showed Thursday.

Ren Zhiqiang who criticised Xi Jinping over virus handling ousted from party

An influential former Chinese property executive and critic of President Xi Jinping has been ousted from China`s ruling Communist Party, a notice from the Beijing district government showed Thursday.

Ren Zhiqiang, the former chairman of state-controlled property developer Huayuan Real Estate Group, had called Xi a "clown" over a speech he made in February about government efforts to battle the coronavirus.

Ren went missing in March, three of his friends told Reuters at the time. Beijing`s municipal anti-corruption watchdog later said he was under investigation for a "serious disciplinary violation".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-a-fresh-wave-of-crackdown-in-china-wuhan-coronavirus-291423">Also watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: A fresh wave of crackdown in China</a>

In a notice on Thursday night, the watchdog said Ren had been ousted from the Chinese Communist Party because he was in "severe violation of discipline and law".

It accused Ren of "losing faith", "not being aligned with the party on important matters of principle", "vilifying the image of party and country" and being disloyal and dishonest to the party.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-us-has-deployed-its-2-billion-worth-b-2-spirit-bombers-in-south-china-sea-315392">Have a look:&nbsp;Why US has deployed its $2 billion worth B-2 Spirit bombers in South China Sea</a>

According to the notice, Ren also used official funds on golf expenses, used office and residential spaces provided for free by businessmen, and unlawfully earned huge profits.

Ren's "unlawful gains" have been confiscated and he will be charged in court, the notice said.

The notice made no mention of the article in which Ren also said a lack of free press and speech had prevented the coronavirus outbreak from being tackled sooner, causing the situation to worsen.

Ren, who gained the nickname “Cannon Ren” for previous critiques posted on social media, was put on probation from the party for a year in 2016 as part of a punishment for publicly criticizing government policy.

An influential former Chinese property executive and critic of President Xi Jinping has been ousted from China`s ruling Communist Party, a notice from the Beijing district government showed Thursday.

An influential former Chinese property executive and critic of President Xi Jinping has been ousted from China`s ruling Communist Party, a notice from the Beijing district government showed Thursday. Ren Zhiqiang, the former chairman of state-controlled property developer Huayuan Real Estate Group, had called Xi a "clown" over a speech he made in February about government efforts to battle the coronavirus. Ren went missing in March, three of his friends told Reuters at the time. Beijing`s municipal anti-corruption watchdog later said he was under investigation for a "serious disciplinary violation". Also watch: Gravitas: A fresh wave of crackdown in China In a notice on Thursday night, the watchdog said Ren had been ousted from the Chinese Communist Party because he was in "severe violation of discipline and law". It accused Ren of "losing faith", "not being aligned with the party on important matters of principle", "vilifying the image of party and country" and being disloyal and dishonest to the party. Have a look: Why US has deployed its $2 billion worth B-2 Spirit bombers in South China Sea According to the notice, Ren also used official funds on golf expenses, used office and residential spaces provided for free by businessmen, and unlawfully earned huge profits. Ren's "unlawful gains" have been confiscated and he will be charged in court, the notice said. The notice made no mention of the article in which Ren also said a lack of free press and speech had prevented the coronavirus outbreak from being tackled sooner, causing the situation to worsen. Ren, who gained the nickname “Cannon Ren” for previous critiques posted on social media, was put on probation from the party for a year in 2016 as part of a punishment for publicly criticizing government policy.

Former Chinese property executive who criticised Xi over virus ousted from ruling party

China has kicked off a fresh wave of crackdown against critics. Ren Zhiqiang - a critic who called Xi Jinping a 'clown' over his response to the coronavirus is under investigation. WION's Palki Sharma brings you stories of 3 critics who showed the courage to speak out.

Gravitas:  A fresh wave of crackdown in China | Wuhan Coronavirus

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China jails property tycoon who called Xi a 'clown'

Is criticising Xi Jinping crossing political line in China?

Ren Zhiqiang who criticised Xi Jinping over virus handling ousted from party

Former Chinese property executive who criticised Xi over virus ousted from ruling party

Gravitas: A fresh wave of crackdown in China | Wuhan Coronavirus