Mystery over missing Chinese tycoon grows

THE mystery over the reported abduction from Hong Kong of a Chinese billionaire deepened yesterday after a newspaper advert appeared in his name pledging loyalty to China, in a case that has heightened fears over Beijing’s meddling.

The whereabouts of financier Xiao Jianhua – one of China’s richest men – are unclear after reports in overseas Chinese-language media that he was taken from Hong Kong by mainland security agents last week.

The reports suggested Xiao’s disappearance was part of China’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign, which some critics say has been used to target President Xi Jinping’s political opponents.

Xiao had been staying at Hong Kong’s Four Seasons Hotel and was looked after by women bodyguards.

A front-page advert in Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao, attributed to Xiao, said he had “always loved the [ruling Communist] party and the country” and would soon meet with media.

“I personally believe the Chinese government is civilised and has rule of law,” the advert read. “I have not been kidnapped.” Xiao, who said in the statement he was a Canadian citizen, insisted he was being treated overseas for an illness.

The founder of Beijing-based Tomorrow Group, Xiao was previously reported to have denied allegations he had fled to Hong Kong in 2014 to escape the corruption crackdown.

He is said to have acted as a broker for the Chinese leadership, including for Xi’s family.

But overseas Chinese-language news site Bowen Press said Xiao could also have been connected to an “anti-Xi coalition”.

The South China Morning Post reported Xiao was in mainland China, not receiving medical treatment, and was only in contact with his family.

It is illegal for mainland agents to operate in semi-autonomous Hong Kong, but the disappearance of five booksellers known for publishing salacious titles about Beijing’s leadership in 2015 prompted widespread criticism that China had overstepped that line.