Computer Solutions

Below is a piece on the disappearance of Zhang Rui, aka Zhang Haoming for the Art Newspaper..
An earlier interview with him in 2008 here.

Leading Chinese collector, dealer and gallerist, Zhang Rui, also known as Zhang Hao Ming, has been arrested, along with his wife, caught in the dragnet following the arrest of China Mobile vice president and deputy chairman Zhang Chunjiang. Zhang Rui has been held in custody incommunicado for three months, with no access to lawyers, a source close to the investigation revealed. The couple’s child is said to be with relatives.

There is a news blackout under effect in China regarding all aspects of the Zhang Chunjiang case, only a leading investigative magazine has reported the issue, their original report leading to the current arrests.

According to the allegations Zhang Rui is “assisting in the investigation” due to his position as Chairman of Beijing Rui Communication Technology Consulting Co., Ltd. Zhang Rui was said to establish a relationship with Zhang Chunjiang in the 90s when he was running a telecom service under Zhang Chunjiang’s supervision in North East China. Zhang Rui’s wife Rui Ning Yang also ran an advertising company which had a key contract with China Netcom, previously administered by Zhang Chunjiang. It is alleged that Zhang Rui was involved in money laundering and other corrupt activities within the telecom industry.

Zhang Rui has a well known 1700m2 house, where he keeps many pieces from his estimated collection of 800 art works, which was featured in the Art Newspaper in 2008. Zhang Rui informally changed his name to Zhang Hao Ming in 2008 after paying a fortune teller several thousand dollars to get a ‘luckier’ name, but the practice is only said to work if the name becomes widely used.

The source said that a probable outcome, even potentially a release, is expected in May. The source said: “You can say in China some things really haven’t changed, these arrests came without warning, and being held without any communications, it is like the 1970s.”

Similar cases have led to long term prison sentences or death sentences for the officials involved, depending on the amounts involved, impact on society, and contrition of the accused, who are expected to confess their crimes in minutae, the details being kept secret. Chinese officials in State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) have long been warned the central government would be conducting an ‘audit storm’ to try and stamp out corrupt practices. Leaking initial allegations to a media, such as Caijing, to launch the public investigation, is also common.

China Mobile is said to be the world’s largest telecom operator by number of subscribers. It is also alleged Zhang Chunjiang kept a handful of mistresses, all employees, or former employees.