A video confession by a detained former spy chief has surfaced in China, countering sensational claims by an exiled businessman as a public tussle over corruption in the financial sector dredges up the ghosts of old deals.
Ma Jian, the vice-minister of state security detained in 2015, was an ally of Guo Wengui, a businessman also known as Miles Kwok who has made waves from his home in Manhattan in recent days with claims of corruption by Chinese security officials. The release of Mr Ma’s confession came as China sought Mr Guo’s return via an Interpol notice.
The spat follows the detention of two financial sector regulators this month, as China’s anti-corruption drive moves into the lucrative and politically fraught finance sector. Industry insiders say the burst of activity is probably the result of information gleaned from Xiao Jianhua, a well-connected businessman who made deals for families of “princelings”, the offspring of top Communist party leaders. Mr Xiao was abducted from Hong Kong and spirited across the border by security agents in late January.