Popular, and controversial, Chinese financial new anchor Rui Chenggang has been arrested by Chinese authorities on suspicion of corruption. Also detained was Li Yong, the financial news channel deputy director, and an unidentified producer at the network.

Rui, 37, is known for his strong views and confrontational incidents. He has been considered a super-patriot. All that aside, authorities unceremoniously hauled away the host of state-owned China Central Television, CCTV, on Friday, July 11 on unspecified corruption allegation.  The evening financial "Economic News" show he hosted appeared without him in his usual hosting chair. He remained in police custody on Tuesday.

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Rui was swept up in the anti-corruption campaign that has been sweeping China in the last year. Investigators targeted CCTV in May as police arrested the president of the channel, Guo Zhenxi, on suspicion of corruption.

Until his arrest Friday, Rui denied through a spokesman that he, too, was being investigated. Since his arrest, social media in China and the world has been ablaze with supporters and detractors arguing over his guilt or innocence.

While official charges haven't been disclosed, news sources speculated that Rui was suspected of making insider business deals based on his affiliation with key business leaders and senior politicians that helped a marketing company he owned. Further fueling suspicion about his behavior were over-the-top personal purchases including a green Jaguar XF and stash of expensive Zegna suits.

Rui's story is one of rags to riches. He went from poverty in Anhui Province to top scholastic honors and the best score of any student in the province on the tough college entrance exams. He attended Foreign Affairs University in Beijing from 1995 to 1999. Forsaking a post in the foreign service, he then joined CCTV.

Attractive, articulate, and a representative of the "new China" being promoted internationally, Rui spoke flawless English. He soon found himself as host and founder of the nation's initial English-language channel while also hosting "BizChina," the nightly financial news program at CCTV. He was a tireless promoter of Chinese patriotism helping explain Chinese actions to a Western audience along with the Chinese nation.

During his tenure at CCTV, Rui spoke on-air with more than 30 world heads of state and 300 chief executive officers and board members of Fortune 500 countries. He also became prime anchor for international business events like the World Economic Forum.

Rui was known as a super-patriot whose railing against the influence of Starbucks caused its expulsion from a place inside the Forbidden City. He also caused a stir at many international events, including a famous 2010 incident during which he was called upon by mistake at a news conference held by President Obama at the Group of 20 summit meeting and claimed to represent all of Asia as he asked a question.

During another famous confrontation at the Dalian, China World Economic Forum in 2011, Rui tangled with Gary Locke, U.S. ambassador to China. When Locke said he flew economy class while on government business, Rui asked if that was due to the fact the U.S. owed China so much money. 

TagsRui Chenggang, Arrested, financial news anchor