The Case of Ren Zhiqiang · Full chronicle and history

On October 13, 2026, Beijing time, X user LuJun Quan (@QuanLujun) posted a retrospective tribute to Ren Zhiqueng. The tweet said that Ren could have enjoyed a comfortable and fulfilling family life, but out of compassion and conscience for the底层 people of China, he resolutely spoke out publicly, and even knowing the struggle would be difficult, he chose to follow his heart. The remarks drew some attention online.

Ren Zhiqiang, now 75, was arrested in 2020 for publicly criticizing Xi Jinping and sentenced to 18 years in prison the same year. He has lost his freedom for more than 6 years, and reports recently emerged that his health has deteriorated in prison, which has been verified as true.

A recording of a private dinner in the United States at which Pan Shiyi discussed the Ren Zhiqiang case and a list of 11 people has circulated on Weibo and the X platform, drawing attention.

Ren Xinyi wrote an open letter stating that her father, Ren Zhiqiang, is suffering from a severe prostate condition and is in great pain in prison, and requested that he be granted medical parole.

The Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court sentenced Ren Zhiqiang to 18 years in prison and fined him 4.2 million yuan on charges of embezzlement, bribery, misappropriation of public funds, and abuse of power by personnel of state-owned companies.

Ren Zhiqiang was sentenced to 18 years in prison for remarks criticizing epidemic prevention policies and other statements, sending shockwaves through China's entrepreneurial community.

Ren Zhiqiang's expulsion from the Chinese Communist Party was announced.

Ren Zhiqiang was taken away by special personnel from the Beijing municipal discipline inspection commission; his eldest son and long-time secretary were arrested the same day.

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has legally closed the Weibo account of Ren Zhiqiang, who had nearly 37 million followers, on the grounds of "continuously publishing illegal information."