China Renaissance Suspends Trading and Delays Results Amid Founder's Disappearance.
China Renaissance, a prominent dealmaker in China's tech industry, has suspended trading of its shares and delayed the release of its annual results due to the disappearance of its founder, Bao Fan. The 52-year-old entrepreneur started the boutique investment bank in 2005 but has been unreachable since mid-February, according to the company.
Since Bao's absence, shares in China Renaissance have plummeted by as much as 50%. The company cited that auditors couldn't complete their work or sign off on their report due to Bao's unavailability. Moreover, the board was unable to provide an estimate for when it would approve its audited results for 2022 and dispatch its annual report by an April 30 deadline.
Bao Fan is known as a veteran dealmaker who has worked closely with top technology companies in China. He played a key role in brokering the 2015 merger between Meituan and Dianping, two of China's leading food delivery services. The combined company's "super app" platform is now ubiquitous in China.
The news comes amid an investigation by China's top anti-graft watchdog into Liu Liange, former party secretary and chairman of Bank of China. Liu is suspected of "serious violations of discipline and law." This is part of a broader financial crackdown by President Xi Jinping against senior financial executives.
This latest development highlights the risks and uncertainties faced by investors in China's tech industry. The disappearance of Bao Fan, one of the most influential dealmakers in the country, has sent shockwaves through the market, with shares suspended and results delayed.
China Renaissance, a prominent dealmaker in China's tech industry, has suspended trading of its shares and delayed the release of its annual results due to the disappearance of its founder, Bao Fan. The 52-year-old entrepreneur started the boutique investment bank in 2005 but has been unreachable since mid-February, according to the company.
Since Bao's absence, shares in China Renaissance have plummeted by as much as 50%. The company cited that auditors couldn't complete their work or sign off on their report due to Bao's unavailability. Moreover, the board was unable to provide an estimate for when it would approve its audited results for 2022 and dispatch its annual report by an April 30 deadline.
Bao Fan is known as a veteran dealmaker who has worked closely with top technology companies in China. He played a key role in brokering the 2015 merger between Meituan and Dianping, two of China's leading food delivery services. The combined company's "super app" platform is now ubiquitous in China.
The news comes amid an investigation by China's top anti-graft watchdog into Liu Liange, former party secretary and chairman of Bank of China. Liu is suspected of "serious violations of discipline and law." This is part of a broader financial crackdown by President Xi Jinping against senior financial executives.
This latest development highlights the risks and uncertainties faced by investors in China's tech industry. The disappearance of Bao Fan, one of the most influential dealmakers in the country, has sent shockwaves through the market, with shares suspended and results delayed.