China ruthlessly cuts down on dissent, send billionaire to prison

BY A STAFF REPORTER

A prominent Chinese billionaire Sun Dawu has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. He runs one of the largest private agricultural businesses in the northern province of Hebei. Sun, 67, has in the past spoken out about human rights and politically sensitive topics. Chinese authorities have found him guilty of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble". According to information, other charges against him include illegally occupying farmland, assembling a crowd to attack state agencies and obstructing government workers from performing their duties.
Sun's company is among China's biggest, with businesses ranging from meat processing and pet food to schools and hospitals.