As troubles mounted, Sun cultivated ties to a circle of academics who study rural issues. He made speeches at top universities, arguing passionately that the nation's financial system effectively subsidized rich coastal cities at the expense of the interior. He posted these polemics on his company's Web site.
Though some of his speeches were detached and analytical, he also tested the limits of debate. He once said the Communist Party presided over a "fake republic."
The Hebei provincial authorities detained Sun in late June and charged him with illegal fund-raising last month. His son continues to run his company, though many of its workers have been laid off and the bank was dissolved.
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