Chinese Tech Firm China Renaissance Suspend Trading Amid Founder's Disappearance
China Renaissance, a prominent boutique investment bank in the country's tech industry, has suspended trading of its shares and delayed the release of its annual results due to an ongoing investigation into its founder, Bao Fan.
Bao, 52, started China Renaissance in 2005 and was known for his close ties with top technology companies in China. The firm had invested in US-listed Chinese electric vehicle makers Nio (NIO) and Li Auto, as well as helping Chinese internet giants like Baidu (BIDU) and JD.com (JD) complete their secondary listings in Hong Kong.
However, since Bao's disappearance mid-February, shares in China Renaissance have plummeted by as much as 50%. The company had initially stated that Bao was "cooperating in an investigation" being carried out by certain authorities, but no further details were provided.
Chinese media reports suggest that Bao may be involved in an investigation related to a former executive at China Renaissance. The firm's board has also been unable to complete its annual audit or sign off on its report due to Bao's absence.
As a result, trading in the company's shares was suspended from Monday. In a filing on Sunday, China Renaissance said that auditors were unable to complete their work and estimated that it would be several weeks before it could approve its audited results for 2022 or dispatch its annual report by an April 30 deadline as required by Hong Kong's listing rules.
Bao Fan is the latest high-profile figure in a broader financial crackdown by President Xi Jinping, who has targeted senior financial executives accused of serious violations of discipline and law. Other figures include former Bank of China party secretary Liu Liange, who was charged with taking bribes, and former China Life Insurance party chief Wang Bin, who was charged with hiding overseas savings.
China Renaissance, a prominent boutique investment bank in the country's tech industry, has suspended trading of its shares and delayed the release of its annual results due to an ongoing investigation into its founder, Bao Fan.
Bao, 52, started China Renaissance in 2005 and was known for his close ties with top technology companies in China. The firm had invested in US-listed Chinese electric vehicle makers Nio (NIO) and Li Auto, as well as helping Chinese internet giants like Baidu (BIDU) and JD.com (JD) complete their secondary listings in Hong Kong.
However, since Bao's disappearance mid-February, shares in China Renaissance have plummeted by as much as 50%. The company had initially stated that Bao was "cooperating in an investigation" being carried out by certain authorities, but no further details were provided.
Chinese media reports suggest that Bao may be involved in an investigation related to a former executive at China Renaissance. The firm's board has also been unable to complete its annual audit or sign off on its report due to Bao's absence.
As a result, trading in the company's shares was suspended from Monday. In a filing on Sunday, China Renaissance said that auditors were unable to complete their work and estimated that it would be several weeks before it could approve its audited results for 2022 or dispatch its annual report by an April 30 deadline as required by Hong Kong's listing rules.
Bao Fan is the latest high-profile figure in a broader financial crackdown by President Xi Jinping, who has targeted senior financial executives accused of serious violations of discipline and law. Other figures include former Bank of China party secretary Liu Liange, who was charged with taking bribes, and former China Life Insurance party chief Wang Bin, who was charged with hiding overseas savings.