Xi Jinping personally halted Ant's IPO after Jack Ma snubbed government leaders
Not surprising at all.Contrary to what most people I know think, I think Xi Jinping and company are really scared. And the more scared they are, the more authoritarian they become.They are afraid of Taiwan because Taiwan is the living example that China can prosper without the CCP.They are afraid of Hong Kong because it's an example of resistance to the regime.They are afraid of religions because no matter how much you punish someone, you won't be able to make them worship you instead.They are afraid of wealthy people because they can taste freedom and they can vision a China without the CCP.And so on...