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'

The original map of the Hundred Acre Wood from the Winnie-the-Pooh children's stories is set to go under the hammer, with an estimated price tag of up to $200,000.

The ink sketch drawn by E.H. Shepard in 1926 lays out the much-loved fictional world created by A.A. Milne, depicting characters Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, Piglet and Eeyore.

"It's such a valuable piece because it's such an obvious entry into the world of Winnie-the-Pooh," Philip Errington, book and illustrations senior specialist at auction house Sotheby's, said.

"It's there as you open the book of the first edition, it's there on the end papers. It's also there in the Disney cartoon," he added, referring to the 1966 "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree" film.

The map, with an estimate of 100,000 - 150,000 pounds ($133,260 - $200,000), will be auctioned at the English Literature, History, Science, Children's Books and Illustrations sale in July.

Four other Winnie-the-Pooh illustrations by Shepard are also being offered, including one of Christopher Robin and Pooh walking to say goodbye, as in Milne's ending in "The House at Pooh Corner".&nbsp

The original map of the Hundred Acre Wood from the Winnie-the-Pooh children's stories is set to go under the hammer, with an estimated price tag of up to $200,000

The original map of the Hundred Acre Wood from the Winnie-the-Pooh children's stories is set to go under the hammer, with an estimated price tag of up to $200,000. The ink sketch drawn by E.H. Shepard in 1926 lays out the much-loved fictional world created by A.A. Milne, depicting characters Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, Piglet and Eeyore. "It's such a valuable piece because it's such an obvious entry into the world of Winnie-the-Pooh," Philip Errington, book and illustrations senior specialist at auction house Sotheby's, said. "It's there as you open the book of the first edition, it's there on the end papers. It's also there in the Disney cartoon," he added, referring to the 1966 "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree" film. The map, with an estimate of 100,000 - 150,000 pounds ($133,260 - $200,000), will be auctioned at the English Literature, History, Science, Children's Books and Illustrations sale in July. Four other Winnie-the-Pooh illustrations by Shepard are also being offered, including one of Christopher Robin and Pooh walking to say goodbye, as in Milne's ending in "The House at Pooh Corner".

Watch: Original Winnie-the-Pooh map to be auctioned in London

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China jails property tycoon who called Xi a 'clown'

Watch: Original Winnie-the-Pooh map to be auctioned in London