In response to China’s economic downturn, the richest man in the country has attacked internet retailers, accusing them of inciting price wars that have hurt numerous businesses and sectors.
In incredibly unusual comments that have been mostly suppressed by official media, Zhong Shanshan, the founder of the beverage brand Nongfu Springs, also attacked the Chinese government, calling it “negligent” for not stopping the trend of ruthless pricing.
Publicly criticizing the government is extremely uncommon among Chinese businesses, and those who have done so have frequently suffered consequences.
Zhong was widely cited as condemning the well-known e-commerce site Pinduoduo in remarks made on Tuesday while visiting a county in eastern China.
