Hu Xijin, outspoken editor-in-chief of the Chinese Communist Party's Global Times tabloid who developed a major social media presence internationally with his tweets, has announced his retirement.
Hu, who has over 450,000 followers on Twitter, was seen as a spokesman loyal to President Xi Jinping, under whom the Communist-led government has tightened its grip on the domestic mass media.
In November, the 61-year-old Hu released video footage of Chinese female tennis star Peng Shuai visiting a Beijing restaurant as international concern mounted over her safety following allegations she made about being coerced into sex by a former vice premier during a certain period of their extramarital relationship.
I have retired and my new role is Global Times special commentator. I will continue to speak on Twitter. I know that many Western people don’t like me, but after all, I am one of the leading influencers in China's public opinion sector. One should hear opinions from both sides.
— Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) December 16, 2021
"I have retired and my new role is Global Times special commentator," Hu said in his Twitter post on Thursday night.
"I will continue to speak on Twitter. I know that many Western people don't like me, but after all, I am one of the leading influencers in China's public opinion sector. One should hear opinions from both sides," he added.
