China's ruling communist party put the membership of real estate tycoon Ren Zhiquiang on probation following his public outburst against domestic media's absolute loyalty to the party.

The probation is meant to issue a stern warning to the outspoken businessman. Suspension is only a step away from outright expulsion.

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The statement released by Xicheng District Committee in Beijing said that Ren's remarks "seriously violated the party's political discipline." In February this year, various party-controlled media outlets demanded Ren's expulsion.

Zhiguiang, widely known as 'Cannon Ren' for his outspoken persona, has a massive online following. He presented his views on his Weibo microblog against President Xi Jinping's demand for the media to serve the party's interest. China's internet regulator retaliated by closing his Weibo and wiping his social media presence.

However, the suspension is still being seen as a relatively mild penalty for Ren, who hails from a well-connected family and is a former soldier.

"This is how politics works: Both sides take one step back. Ren won't make another fuss and the authorities won't take it too seriously," Qiao Mu, a media scholar at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, told The Wall Street Journal. 

The probation entails that Ren will not be allowed to vote or participate in internal elections of the party. He is also stripped of all party-related duties. The probation may be extended by a year if he fails to meet reinstatement criteria, which includes taking remedial actions and demonstration of regret.

Chinese authorities are also considered to be in placatory stance. Speaking in Hefei, President Xi Jinping said that officials should "place ample trust in intellectuals" and accept constructive criticism.

TagsXi Jinping, Ren Zhiquiang, Communist Party, weibo, Media censorship, censorship in china, Internet, Great Firewall of China