WingNews logo WingNews GitHub [2]
top | item 25636113

Jack Ma's disappearing act fuels speculation about billionaire's whereabouts

113 points| smaili | 5 years ago |reuters.com

51 comments

order
[+] dekhn|5 years ago|reply
Of all the China disappearing acts, the one that still blows me away the most was what happened to the panchen lama: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gedhun_Choekyi_Nyima
[+] boringg|5 years ago|reply
Wow just read up on that. Depressing that they would kidnap a 6 year old - no limits to what the CCP won't do I guess.
[+] duxup|5 years ago|reply
I remember a while back there were a number of stories about Chinese government officials embezzling money and then fleeing the country suddenly over night.

At that time that seemed pretty brazen, but perhaps those folks are more aware of how often random people who displease the powers that be may be disappeared or used as an example... and they knew that if there was any risk it was time to get out of town.

This is far from the only example of business people, even local celebs disappearing for a time.

[+] busterarm|5 years ago|reply
> I remember a while back there were a number of stories about Chinese government officials embezzling money and then fleeing the country suddenly over night. At that time that seemed pretty brazen, but perhaps those folks are more aware of how often random people who displease the powers that be may be disappeared or used as an example... and they knew that if there was any risk it was time to get out of town. This is far from the only example of business people, even local celebs disappearing for a time.

Unless you can buy/obtain citizenship from somewhere else, that only gets you so far. Eventually China will get you back on Chinese soil. You're going to need a passport renewal eventually.

China is widely known for pursuing dissidents outside its borders and is not above kidnapping. They also have the political leverage to make Khashoggi-like incidents go away.

[+] fermienrico|5 years ago|reply
This level of government intervention, censorship and alleged intimidation should be a warning to world-class talent and entrepreneurs who might be attracted to China.
[+] actuator|5 years ago|reply
I really doubt something bad will happen to him even if he is under CCP custody. CCP can't be that stupid that they let a successful entrepreneur with an amazing story and global appeal go missing.

Because if he really disappears it will cause talent drain like anything, which will be just stupid to the ambitions CCP has for PRC.

[+] Traster|5 years ago|reply
There are two key areas of focus for the Chinese government, there's growing the power of their country as a whole, and there's maintaining the party's power over the country. Take a look at Hongkong - is it a smart move for China to destroy one of its wealthiest, most powerful international cities? No. But it is vital to China's second goal - to maintain absolute control over the country.

So far it's been pretty clear cut the first goal hasn't been too badly impacted by their second goal.

[+] TrainedMonkey|5 years ago|reply
You are assuming CCP thinks like you do, what if sending a message is extremely important to them?
[+] khuey|5 years ago|reply
They disappeared the head of Interpol a while back and that didn't cause much blowback.
[+] sidgarimella|5 years ago|reply
A decade ago I would've believed this to be the case

With what they've been doing in surveillance infra and hk in recent years though it does look like they're not nearly as subtle anymore

Possibly also just a change in our awareness, but I wouldn't be surprised if they write him off in a covid fatality or something

[+] bpodgursky|5 years ago|reply
I would have agreed with you a year ago, but I think I was naive about how much Xi wanted to play by international norms.

Pretty clear now that he's willing to be as ruthless as he thinks he can get away with... and this likely counts.

[+] duxup|5 years ago|reply
I think the appeal of 'successful entrepreneur' vanishes quickly if those in power feel that entrepreneur is not doing as they wish / they feel threatened / or some other situation.

There are always more entrepreneurs.

[+] franklampard|5 years ago|reply
He is just benevolently chilling in the ICU with his 996 engineers.
[+] downrightmike|5 years ago|reply
Jeff's basement or the Uyghur extermination camp
[+] monksy|5 years ago|reply
"re-education"*

(For lose definitions of what they're educating on)

[+] karmasimida|5 years ago|reply
Couldn't it be that he just hide to stay lowkey for a period of time to avoid further trouble?

The best option right now for him is to avoid exposure and shut his mouth, TBH.

[+] 88840-8855|5 years ago|reply
Well, the state said that the power is still with the state and not with some super rich tech companies.

We _ALL_ know the harm of facebook and _ALL OF US_ wished this platform would be shut down immediately. But the state has nothing to say here.

[+] xxpor|5 years ago|reply
Even if Facebook were shut down tomorrow (legally or not), I can't imagine any possible scenario where Zuck would be disappeared by the feds.
[+] Permit|5 years ago|reply
Do you think Jack Ma deserved to be punished for speaking negatively about the CCP? In your eyes, what punishment would fit this crime?