Chinese Elites Keep Mysteriously Disappearing and Reappearing, Sparking Rumors of Party Crackdowns
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Several prominent Chinese leaders and elites have mysteriously disappeared in recent years before later resurfacing, including the defense minister, foreign minister, former president Hu Jintao, and Alibaba founder Jack Ma.
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Their unexplained absences from public life have sparked rumors of scandal, power struggles, and falling out of favor with the Communist Party.
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Other disappeared figures include a former IT minister, celebrities like Fan Bingbing and Zhao Wei, tennis player Peng Shuai, and the former Interpol chief Meng Hongwei.
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The disappearances often coincide with government crackdowns on the individuals' businesses or industries, like tech and entertainment.
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When the missing elite reemerge, they typically seem chastened and keep a lower profile, signaling they were likely disciplined by the Party.