Now you see him. Now you don't.
After being missing for 10 days, Mr Bao Fan, founder and chief executive of China Renaissance Holdings and high-flying technology dealmaker in China, has resurfaced and is said to be assisting the authorities.
It is not clear why Mr Bao whose deals included the tie-up of top ride-hailing firms Didi and Kuaidi suddenly disappeared in mid-February and dramatically reappeared almost two weeks later.
No details have emerged, not even about his location. His last public appearance was in late November 2022 when he was present at the Future Science Prize Award Ceremony held in Beijing, with satellite sites in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
A REPEAT OF JACK MA'S DISAPPEARANCE?
That a billionaire could simply disappear and reappear has had a chilling effect on the business community in China. This is a country where a business leader's public profile signals business continuity and sudden changes spark speculation of embroilment in scandals or involvement in regulatory crackdown.
Alibaba's Mr Jack Ma's hasty departure from the public limelight had similarly given cause for worry.
The high-profile and showy businessman had seen his international stature skyrocket since his rock star appearance at the 2018 World Economic Forum in Davos. Having established himself as an exemplary model of the Chinese growth miracle, he repeated his performance in 2019 and espoused grand plans to reform globalisation from the bottom up.
Yet in January 2021, when global business leaders gathered in Davos again, Mr Ma was missing in action. His absence was so obvious, it caused Tesla chief executive Elon Musk to ask: "Where is Jack Ma?"
Denne historien er fra March 07, 2023-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra March 07, 2023-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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