Chinese tycoon who criticized Xi’s virus response jailed for 18 years for corruption

In this Dec. 3, 2012, file photo, Chinese real estate mogul Ren Zhiqiang poses for photos in his office in Beijing. Ren, the former chairman of a Chinese state-owned real estate company who publicly criticized President Xi Jinping’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Sept. 22, 2020, in a corruption case, the government announced. AP A Chinese real estate tycoon and outspoken critic of President Xi Jinping was jailed for 18 years on Tuesday for corruption, bribery and embezzlement of public funds, a court statement said. Ren Zhiqiang ࢀ"¢ once among the ruling…