The Chinese regime has demanded that media censors in the country impose reports of an antitrust investigation against the technology group Alibaba, Whose founder, Jack Ma, has disappeared In general terms as misfortunes for his business empire, according to people familiar with the matter.
The action taken by the regime authorities to exercise control over media coverage with regard to business group matters shows that the issue has become a matter of national political sensitivity in China..
Beijing has cracked down on a business group in recent months, with authorities canceling the $ 37 billion initial public offering of Alibaba’s payments subsidiary Ant Group at the last minute last November, while the following month, competition organizers announced an investigation into Antitrust in Alibaba.
In his last public appearance in October, Ma, one of the country’s wealthiest people, gave a speech criticizing state banks and financial regulators in China.
In late December, the Chinese regime’s propaganda arm ordered the media to “strictly protest” the official line about Alibaba’s antitrust investigation and to “not make changes or engage in extensive analysis without permission.”
“If any advertisement about the company contradicts the official position, do not publish, do not re-publish, and do not cite foreign media.”Came in the guidance, according to two witnesses who have read it.
Media spokesperson People’s DailyHe criticized China’s tech industry for pursuing “growing market concentration.”, Saying that increased market surveillance is important for the sound development of the economy.
“This is a dangerous and unusual procedure.”Xiaoqiang, a research scientist in the School of Information at the University of California, Berkeley, said. “The language [de la directiva] It is quite similar to the procedures regarding reports of “very important political events” such as the Bo Xilai trial, He added, referring to the former politician to shame and life imprisonment for corruption.
Ma’s corporate investments are directly related to some of the most powerful political families in China. Top politics is likely to undermine the fact that he is in trouble with the Chinese state this time, not just because he delivered a speech that may have affected Xi. [Jinping, el presidente de China] Or another party official. “Mr. Xiao said.
Xi was involved in the decision to halt Ant’s IPO, according to people close to the events. Alibaba shares fell nearly 30 percent in the weeks that followed.
I think Beijing is still somewhat afraid of Alibaba. . . The government believes she is being questioned. “A government media employee said.
News under development …
