Two of China’s most celebrated athletes have denounced the ruling Communist Party, a stunning display for a country used to seeing its sporting heroes lavish praise on authorities for their personal successes. Retired soccer star Hao Haidong and his wife, former badminton world champion Ye Zhaoying—both household names in China—appeared on a video live-stream this month to voice support for a fugitive Chinese businessman’s self-professed campaign to topple the Communist Party.

Source: Wall Street Journal June 10, 2020 13:56 UTC