Pan Shiyi's Old Video Resurfaces Online, Igniting Debate Over His Political Stance After Returning to China

Pan Shiyi (People News)

[People News] A video featuring Pan Shiyi speaking at a dinner has recently gone viral on social media platforms both in China and abroad. Pan Shiyi, the founder of SOHO China, has been residing in the United States for several years. In the video, he reveals that his friend Ren Zhiqiang sent an article, which is believed to mock Xi Jinping, to 11 individuals, with Pan being the first recipient. He notes that "the other few people" were subsequently arrested.

As reported by Radio Free Asia, in the video, Pan Shiyi stands next to the dining table and mentions his close relationship with a friend, with whom he used to interact frequently on Weibo. He states that this friend wrote a letter, "which was sent to 11 people. The first person was me." Pan continues, "The other few people were all arrested. I am in the United States." He then cautions those present: "Please do not record this."

Chinese media figure Mr. Zhang commented in an interview with Radio Free Asia this Monday (28th) that in the roughly 55-second video, he is particularly concerned about the fates of the other recipients. He remarked, "At that time, we thought that only Ren Zhiqiang had been arrested... This information has never been disclosed before. I believe this 55-second video reveals the most significant information in this instance."

The Fates of the 11 Recipients Attract Attention

The friend mentioned by Pan Shiyi is Ren Zhiqiang, the former chairman of Huayuan Group. He did not disclose the names of the other recipients in the video, nor did he provide details on when or why they were arrested. Currently, there is no publicly available information to verify the circumstances of these individuals one by one.

In 2020, an article authored by Ren Zhiqiang gained traction online. When the full text was published by China Digital Times, it bore the title 'The Lives of the People are Harmed by Both the Virus and the Serious Illness of the System,' with a note indicating that the title was added by the editor. The article criticized the Chinese Communist Party's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, using the metaphor of 'a clown who insists on being an emperor even when stripped of his clothes' to refer to Xi Jinping. Ren Zhiqiang went missing in March of that year, was announced to be under investigation in April, and on September 22, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison by the court on charges including corruption and bribery.

Why didn’t he return home after buying a plane ticket?

Pan Shiyi stated in a video that after arriving in New York in September, he had even purchased a ticket to return to China, intending to go back after the Spring Festival. He then mentioned a friend who 'got into trouble.' He did not specify whether he later canceled the ticket, nor did he indicate if he still wished to return to China.

Mr. Ma, a commentator from Beijing, told Radio Free Asia that he believes Pan Shiyi will not return to China: 'He definitely will not come back. He did not record this video; I think he should not come back.' Mr. Ma noted that Pan Shiyi has lived in the United States for many years, stating, 'This person living in America should be fine.'

Mr. Zhang also shares the view that Pan Shiyi will not return. While discussing the current state of the Chinese real estate industry, he remarked: 'It’s not that one enterprise has collapsed while another is thriving; it’s a complete industry-wide collapse. … What would Pan Shiyi come back for at this time?'

The leak of an old video has sparked debate.

A video from a recent dinner party has unexpectedly surfaced online. In the footage, Pan Shiyi cautions attendees against recording the conversation, and it remains unclear who filmed and uploaded the video. Some speculate that it was leaked by someone present, while others believe Pan Shiyi may have intended for the discussion to be public.

Beginning this Sunday (27th), the video has been circulating on Chinese social media and WeChat Moments, with some shares being subsequently blocked. Some netizens have moved to overseas platforms to comment; additionally, a list of '11 names' led by Pan Shiyi has emerged online. The source and details of this list have not yet been verified. A reporter from Radio Free Asia reached out to one entrepreneur on the list, but as of the publication time, no response has been received.

Mr. Zhang remarked: 'As for whether the release of this information was intentional on his part or if it was passively leaked by others without his knowledge, it's difficult to determine. Both scenarios are possible.' Mr. Ma added: 'But whether he meant for it to be revealed, I cannot say.'

An article suspected of mocking Xi Jinping has stirred significant controversy.

In the video, Pan Shiyi expressed his admiration for Ren Zhiqiang and acknowledged receiving the article that allegedly satirizes Xi Jinping. Following the video's release, some netizens speculated about the similarity of political views between the two. Pan Shiyi did not directly comment on Xi Jinping in the video, nor did he clarify the situations of other recipients or whether he plans to return to China.

Mr. Ma discussed the fates of some Chinese businessmen, stating: 'In fact, many of the capitalists in China who are somewhat at a higher level are essentially fleeing the country.'

Pan Shiyi and his wife Zhang Xin started investing in U.S. real estate in the early 2010s. Since 2014, SOHO China has been progressively divesting its properties within China; however, a deal to sell its controlling stake to Blackstone Group collapsed in 2021. In 2022, Pan Shiyi stepped down from his role as chairman of the company's board of directors.
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