The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences is a think tank and a stronghold of ideology within the CCP. Recently, there has been a major shakeup in the leadership of the Institute of Economics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, with reports indicating that Deputy Director Zhu Hengpeng is suspected of “irresponsibly discussing central policies,” causing a “political earthquake” that led to a reshuffling of the leadership. Analysts suggest that as the political and economic situation worsens, the authorities are intensifying their efforts in the ongoing “silencing the masses” campaign.
According to multiple personnel appointment notices released on the official website of the Personnel and Education Bureau of the CCP Academy of Social Sciences, on August 22, the CCP Academy of Social Sciences Party Committee made decisions to appoint Gong Yun, former Party Secretary and Deputy Director of the Institute of Finance, as the Party Secretary of the Institute of Economics; appoint Li Xuesong, former Director of the Institute of Quantity Economics and Technical Economics, as the Director and Deputy Party Secretary of the Institute of Economics; and appoint Song Hong, former Deputy Director of the Research Bureau, as the Deputy Director of the Institute of Economics.
At the same time, Wang Limin was removed from the positions of Party Secretary and Deputy Director of the Institute of Economics; and Huang Qunhui was removed from the positions of Director of the Institute of Economics and Deputy Party Secretary. Wang Limin was then transferred to the position of Party Secretary of the Institute of Finance.
A check by a journalist at Dajiyuan of the official websites of the Institute of Economics and the Institute of Finance of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences revealed that the aforementioned adjustments have been made. It can be observed on the official website of the Institute of Economics that former Deputy Director Zhu Hengpeng has also disappeared from the list.
An article published on September 16 by the Hong Kong newspaper “Sing Tao Daily” revealed that over a decade ago, a “spy case” involving the former Deputy Director of the Japan Research Institute and the former Deputy Director of the Center for Public Policy Studies at the CCP Academy of Social Sciences, Jin Xide and Lu Jianhua, respectively, caused a stir. After a purge, there have been few political incidents in recent years, with official emphasis on the political nature of the CCP Academy of Social Sciences. However, it was reported that a “political earthquake” occurred at the Institute of Economics of the Academy of Social Sciences recently, with the director, secretary, and deputy director of the Institute replaced at the end of last month, stemming from the alleged “irresponsible discussion of central policies” by the deputy director Zhu Hengpeng, who has since been dealt with.
However, the article did not disclose the specifics of Zhu Hengpeng’s alleged “irresponsible discussion of central policies.”
At 55 years old, Zhu Hengpeng has been primarily researching public hospital reforms and healthcare security systems in recent years.
On April 25 this year, Zhu Hengpeng, in his capacity as Deputy Director of the Institute of Economics at the Academy of Social Sciences, spoke at the inaugural “China Pension Industry Forum” hosted by Caixin Media, discussing the pension system. He suggested having young people contribute to financially support their parents in their hometowns, sparking debates.
Information confirming the handling of Zhu Hengpeng’s statements could not be obtained from official sources. However, on September 11, the CCP Academy of Social Sciences held a party discipline learning and education summary meeting, where the academy president and party secretary Gao Xiang emphasized the importance of “building a loyal and reliable theoretical and academic army.”
As the Chinese economy continues to decline and the domestic political situation becomes delicate, authorities are tightening their grip on freedom of speech. Even Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of the Global Times, a long-standing CCP mouthpiece, was silenced for three months for his remarks.
On September 14, Taiwan’s media “Up Media” published an article by commentator Du Zheng pointing out that even Hu Xijin has “violated (party) regulations,” which may indicate that the CCP regime is becoming more authoritarian yet fragile. With a worsening economy, the legitimacy of the CCP’s rule and Xi Jinping’s hold on power could be undermined, making criticism of utmost concern. Along with the deteriorating political and economic situation, the authorities’ “silencing the masses” campaign is escalating.
Over the past year, numerous Chinese economic scholars have been silenced for expressing views contrary to official stances. Figures such as Dan Bin, Chairman of Shenzhen Dongfang Harbor Investment Management Company; financial blogger Hong Rong; founder of Guanglu Finance Research Institute Chen Shouhong; renowned commentator Shuipi; economist Ma Guangyuan; financial writer Wu Xiaobo; and former senior investment consultant at Zhongjin Fortune Securities Xu Xiaoyu were among those affected.
Liu Jipeng, Dean of the School of Business at China University of Political Science and Law, publicly advised investors not to enter the market at the end of last year, subsequently facing an online ban and later stepping down from his position as the director of the Capital Finance Research Institute at China University of Political Science and Law. On September 13, Liu Jipeng’s Weibo account was found to be in a state of “suspension due to violation of relevant laws and regulations,” for reasons unknown.