Chinese-born Canadian billionaire Xiao Jianhua, who disappeared in 2017 from a Hong Kong hotel, began trial on Monday (4) in China, the Canadian embassy in Beijing told AFP. Xiao Jianhua, who has Canadian nationality, disappeared from Hong Kong’s luxury Four Seasons hotel in January 2017 and local media reported that he was abducted by Chinese agents.
“Consular officials are closely monitoring the case, providing consular services to the family and will continue to press for consular access,” the Canadian embassy told AFP, without specifying the venue of the trial or the charges against the tycoon.
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Xiao was one of China’s richest men at the time of the alleged abduction and several sources have pointed out that he had close ties to the Communist Party of China. Since his disappearance, little information about the case has leaked out and the Chinese authorities have remained silent.
The investigation against the businessman appears to be linked to an anti-corruption campaign initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping.