Duan Weihong | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 December 1966 |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Education | BS in Computer Science, Nanjing University of Science and Technology (1986–1990) |
| Known for | business partner of the Wen Jiabao family |
| Spouse | Desmond Shum (married 2004–2015) |
| Children | 1 son |
Duan Weihong (Chinese: 段伟红; pinyin: Duàn Wěihóng; born December 29, 1966), or Whitney Duan, is a Chinese billionaire.[1][2] She is known as a business partner of the family of former Chinese premier Wen Jiabao. Duan was secretly detained in 2017 and resurfaced in 2023.[3]
In a memoir written by her ex-husband Desmond Shum titled Red Roulette, Duan cultivated extensive political and business connections in China, especially with Zhang Peili, Wen's wife. Duan was secretly detained on 5 September 2017, possibly at the order of Wang Qishan in relation to an investigation into Sun Zhengcai, both her cultivated connections.[4][5] She is said to have fallen victim to the Chinese Communist Party's use of "extralegal kidnappings" to facilitate opaque investigations.[6][1][7] Shortly before Red Roulette was published, Shum received a call from Duan—her first contact with the outside world since her disappearance in 2017—asking him to cancel the publication out of concern for their son's safety. Shum refused, believing she was under duress to make the phone call.[8][9]
- ^ a b Mitchell, Tom (September 2, 2021). "Mystery of missing woman who struck deals with China's 'red aristocracy'". Financial Times. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ Shum, Desmond (September 5, 2021). "The Missing Mogul". The Wire China. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ "Detained Red Roulette billionaire Duan Weihong resurfaces in China". South China Morning Post. 2023-07-31. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
- ^ Barboza, David; Forsythe, Michael (February 7, 2018). "Corruption Inquiry Draws Nearer to Former Chinese Prime Minister". The New York Times. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ "纽约时报:段伟红事件牵涉温家宝，抑或孙政才？" [The New York Times: Duan Weihong incident involves Wen Jiabao or Sun Zhengcai?]. Deutsche Welle (in Chinese). February 8, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ Wong, Chun Han (September 3, 2021). "An Insider Details the Chinese Communist Party's Disdain for 'Expendable' Entrepreneurs". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ "A new book looks behind Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign". The Economist. September 11, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ Shum, Desmond (September 6, 2021). "'Red Roulette' Reveals The Inside Of China's Wealth-Making Machine". NPR (Interview). Interviewed by Steve Inskeep. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
- ^ Mitchell, Tom (September 6, 2021). "Missing Chinese entrepreneur briefly surfaces on eve of book's publication". Financial Times. Retrieved September 19, 2021.