China Renaissance, a prominent player in China's tech industry, has suspended trading of its shares and delayed the release of its annual results due to the disappearance of its founder, Bao Fan. The 52-year-old entrepreneur started the boutique investment bank in 2005 but has been unreachable since mid-February. His absence has led to a sharp decline in the company's stock price, which plummeted as much as 50%.
The company initially reported that Bao was "cooperating with an investigation" being carried out by certain authorities, but no further details were provided. Chinese media have speculated that Bao might be assisting in an investigation related to a former executive at China Renaissance.
As a result of Bao's absence, auditors were unable to complete their work or sign off on the company's report, and the board was unable to estimate when it would approve its audited results for 2022. The deadline for dispatching its annual report by April 30 has also been missed.
Bao is known for his close ties with top technology companies in China. He played a key role in brokering the 2015 merger between Meituan and Dianping, two leading food delivery services, which resulted in the creation of a "super app" platform ubiquitous in China today.
The disappearance of Bao Fan has raised questions about the impact of the Chinese government's widening anti-graft campaign on business leaders. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the State Supervision Commission recently launched an investigation into Liu Liange, a former party secretary and chairman of Bank of China, who is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law.
The recent developments have led to increased scrutiny of China's financial sector, with many high-profile executives facing charges related to corruption and wrongdoing. The case of Bao Fan serves as a reminder that even influential business leaders are not immune to the consequences of the government's crackdown on corruption.
The company initially reported that Bao was "cooperating with an investigation" being carried out by certain authorities, but no further details were provided. Chinese media have speculated that Bao might be assisting in an investigation related to a former executive at China Renaissance.
As a result of Bao's absence, auditors were unable to complete their work or sign off on the company's report, and the board was unable to estimate when it would approve its audited results for 2022. The deadline for dispatching its annual report by April 30 has also been missed.
Bao is known for his close ties with top technology companies in China. He played a key role in brokering the 2015 merger between Meituan and Dianping, two leading food delivery services, which resulted in the creation of a "super app" platform ubiquitous in China today.
The disappearance of Bao Fan has raised questions about the impact of the Chinese government's widening anti-graft campaign on business leaders. The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the State Supervision Commission recently launched an investigation into Liu Liange, a former party secretary and chairman of Bank of China, who is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law.
The recent developments have led to increased scrutiny of China's financial sector, with many high-profile executives facing charges related to corruption and wrongdoing. The case of Bao Fan serves as a reminder that even influential business leaders are not immune to the consequences of the government's crackdown on corruption.