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Property tycoon Ren Zhiqiang was reported missing by friends on Saturday morning according to the New York Times. In recent weeks Mr Ren wrote an essay criticising Xi and the Chinese government for silencing coronavirus whistleblowers. Wang Ying, a reared entrepreneur friend of Mr Ren said: “We’re very worried about him.

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He first posted on a WeChat medical school alumni group that seven patients from a local seafood market had been diagnosed with a SARS-like illness.

Mr Li was detained in December for spreading concerns about the virus .

Li Wending, a doctor from Wuhan Central Hospital, died of the virus last month.

“I will continue to look for him.”

Ren Zhiqiang, who criticised Xi Jinping for his handling of coronavirus, has gone missing

Mr Ren had long been a critic of CCP

Soon after he was arrested for trying to blow the whistle.

It had been alleged he was accused of making false statements while Beijing worked to conceal the crisis.

He was hospitalised on January 12 and tested positive for coronavirus at the beginning of February, dying shortly after.

Supporters on Chinese social media described him as a “hero” and "Wuhan government owes Dr. Li Wenliang an apology” trended after his death.

READ MORE: Secret document claims China’s first case was in November