Part 5/8:
The red second generation has not been a monolithic group; they diverge in their political views and career ambitions, with some pursuing business interests while others remained regretful over the deviation of the revolutionary ideals their parents championed.
Prominent among these is Ren Zhiqiang, a real estate titan who openly criticized Xi's leadership style and the Party's tightening grip. His 18-year prison sentence for alleged corruption highlights how dissenting voices, even from elite backgrounds, have been swiftly silenced under Xi's regime.
Figures like Leo Yaodong and others have faced similar fates, revealing a consistent pattern of Xi targeting those who challenge his authority or represent a threat to his consolidation of power within the party.