Chinese economist Ren Zeping’s Weibo account was locked after his article suggesting China’s central bank print $314 billion to boost the birthrate went viral
The blocking of Mr. Ren’s social-media account reflectsin recent months under Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who is widely expected to seek a precedent-breaking third term at a closely watched political event later this year.
After data from a once-in-a-decade census last year revealed China’s population growth had ground to a near halt, Beijing loosened the country’s once-draconian birth restrictions and unveiled a suite of policies aimed at encouraging couples to have three children. Eyeing these trends, Mr. Ren, who most recently served as economist for Evergrande China Group, one of the country’s largest real-estate developers and one that is now mired in debt issues, questioned China’s past policy moves in his essay this week.