On October 2nd, the daughter of Chinese real estate tycoon Ren Zhiqiang, Ren Xinyi, wrote a letter to the Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping, requesting permission for her seriously ill father to receive medical treatment abroad while in prison, based on humanitarian principles. Observers say that the public letter may not change Ren Zhiqiang’s situation, as Xi’s brutality will be recorded in history.
According to a report by Voice of America on October 5th, Wang Anna, a former Chinese private entrepreneur now in exile in the United States and founder of the overseas media group “Light Media,” confirmed the authenticity of the letter with several friends familiar with the Beijing circle and Ren Zhiqiang.
Wang Anna commented, “This letter is very powerful, it’s also a manifesto. I think this daughter is very brave.”
Wang Anna did not disclose Ren Xinyi’s current whereabouts but confirmed that “she is currently in a safe place.”
Political commentator Cai Shenkun in the US told Voice of America that the letter was initially circulated in a small WeChat group. He verified the authenticity of the letter as “absolutely true” as the group consisted of friends who were familiar with Ren Zhiqiang.
Within this WeChat group, discussions on politics were rare because everyone understood each other well, stating that “this group is completely candid.” This time, Ren Xinyi perhaps under the guidance of some seniors, issued this public letter in an extremely desperate situation.
Cai Shenkun stated, “In recent years, some friends and various people have tried to help Ren Zhiqiang because he was a straightforward person in the past.”
He pointed out that Ren Zhiqiang did not oppose the party, but his criticisms of Xi Jinping’s actions brought disaster upon him. Despite his connections and background, including being linked to “princelings” and having political support from Wang Qishan, they were of no avail.
“When Ren Zhiqiang was sentenced to a heavy punishment a few years ago, it sent a clear signal to the party that Xi Jinping had become the absolute authority, and the party had been replaced by Xi,” Cai Shenkun said.
He does not believe that this open letter pleading for her father will change Ren Zhiqiang’s situation. When authorities sentenced Ren Zhiqiang to 18 years in prison initially, there was no intention of letting him out alive.
Wang Anna also believes that given Xi Jinping’s consistent brutal tactics, this letter will have no impact. However, she emphasized that this seemingly gentle public letter is actually very powerful and the brutality of Xi Jinping will be etched in history. This letter will also be remembered in history.
On October 2nd, Ren Xinyi, the daughter of Chinese real estate tycoon Ren Zhiqiang, published a public letter to the Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping.
In the letter, she pleaded, “I implore you to allow my father to receive medical treatment outside prison and seek medical care abroad based on humanitarian principles, so that he can reunite with his family in his final moments, receive proper treatment, and care.”
The letter mentioned, “My father was diagnosed with a serious prostate disease before he was imprisoned, urgently needing surgery. Since being incarcerated, he has not received surgery or effective treatment, and his condition continues to deteriorate. For a long time, he has had to go to the bathroom more than ten times a night, suffering from pain and unable to rest properly. In recent months, he has been diagnosed with asthma, and his health is deteriorating. Despite our repeated pleas, surgery has not been granted, leaving us in deep pain and despair. My brother was also implicated in my father’s case and received a nine-year sentence. In the four years since my father’s imprisonment, our family has never had a genuine reunion. Illness and sentencing have torn our family apart, bringing us near the brink of collapse.”
At 73 years old, Ren Zhiqiang is a renowned Chinese entrepreneur who has held positions such as Chairman of Huayuan Real Estate in Beijing, Deputy Secretary-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Huayuan Group, Supervisor of Beijing Commercial Bank, Director of New China Insurance, and Member of the Beijing Political Consultative Conference. He holds a Master’s degree in law from the National People’s Congress. Her father, Ren Quansheng, has served as Deputy Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
Ren Zhiqiang, nicknamed “Ren the Cannon,” has frequently criticized the authorities.
In March 2020, Ren Zhiqiang went missing and was sentenced to 18 years in prison on September 22 of the same year.