Chinese tycoon who criticized Xi Jinpingࢀ™s handling of coronavirus jailed for 18 years

A Chinese billionaire who criticized President Xi Jinpingࢀ™s handling of the coronavirus pandemic has been jailed for 18 years on corruption charges, a court said Tuesday. Ren Zhiqiang, a retired real-estate tycoon with close ties to senior Chinese officials, disappeared in March after he allegedly penned a scathing essay that month criticizing Xiࢀ™s response to the coronavirus epidemic. He was later charged with corruption-related offenses. On Tuesday, a court in Beijing found Ren guilty on multiple charges, including embezzling some $16.3 million (110.6 million yuan) in public funds, accepting bribes, and abuse of power that caused losses totaling $17.2 million…