Vanke founder Wang Shi files complaint over online harassment

Wang Shi, founder of Vanke Group, a real estate developer, has sent a letter to the Cyberspace Administration of China requesting action against large-scale online harassment, which has severely disrupted his normal business operations.

On Monday, Wang reposted a social media post by lawyer Zhou Zhaocheng, which stated that on June 8, Wang had submitted via official petition channels to the administration a letter of complaint regarding large-scale online defamation targeting him and requesting remedial action. The document was officially received on June 9.

Wang stated that he hopes rectification efforts can be made to help advocate for the protection of private entrepreneurs and foster a healthy online business environment.

The letter indicated that recently, hundreds of accounts have systematically and rhythmically fabricated false information and launched coordinated campaigns across various online platforms to maliciously smear and defame Wang. Multiple false rumors have trended on major platforms, with total online views surpassing 100 million, constituting sustained and large-scale online violence.

It added that malicious online sentiment has already caused substantial real-world damage as multiple financial institutions have suspended credit approval processes for Wang and his affiliated enterprises. Furthermore, numerous core executives have resigned while some long-term strategic business partners have abruptly terminated commercial negotiations.

Certain false claims have even been cited and published by domestic and international media outlets, significantly damaging Wang's business reputation and public standing. The adverse effects continue to spread, resulting in escalating economic losses, the letter said.

To deal with the online harassment, Wang has taken a series of legal actions, including filing a criminal report with Shenzhen public security authorities, and filing a civil lawsuit for infringement of reputation rights along with a private criminal prosecution for defamation with the Yantian District People's Court of Shenzhen. All related cases have been formally accepted.

Wang said in the letter that he hopes major online platforms can be required to comprehensively identify, remove, and take down all malicious defamatory and false content targeting him across the internet. For accounts that continue to disseminate infringing content after judicial authorities have formally initiated proceedings, permanent bans should be imposed in accordance with the law to halt further dissemination at its source and fully curb the worsening of the online narrative.

Also, he urges that online platforms be instructed to strictly comply with relevant laws and regulations by providing judicial authorities and his legal representatives with complete evidentiary materials — including real-name registration details, IP addresses, posting records, and dissemination data — of the infringing accounts. Such materials can help to identify both the originators and orchestrators behind the false information, the letter said.

According to public information, Wang, 75, founded real estate developer Vanke in 1984. In 2011, Wang was named by Fortune as one of "Fifteen Business Leaders Who've Changed China." Since 2011, he has largely withdrawn from the day-to-day management of Vanke. In the 2020s, he became active in venture capital and private equity, with a focus on the environmental sector.