Qiao Hong

For almost two weeks, shareholders and the general public have found themselves in a guessing game over the whereabouts of Qiao Hong, general manager of Guizhou Moutai, one of the most popular and profitable producers of traditional Chinese liquor.

Some say Qiao is in custody, under investigation for corruption. Others say he has been transferred to Guizhou Province's State Assets Regulatory and Management Commission.

The contradictory accounts only add to the mystery.

Amid stock market rumors which have resulted in plummeting Moutai shares, the board of directors of the listed company issued a statement on Monday. It claims Qiao has been appointed a deputy director of the local State assets watchdog.

But the commission reportedly denied this, refusing to clarify the situation.

At the same time, sources with the disciplinary branch of the provincial Communist Party of China committee confirm Qiao is being investigated.

To date, Qiao's whereabouts remain behind a thick veil of secrecy.

We say it's time to lift the veil.

As a listed company, Moutai appeared to have fulfilled its legal obligation to inform shareholders of a significant change in its governance structure. But reports of Qiao's custody raise suspicions.

The whereabouts of the general manager of a major listed company, who is also a high-ranking local official, should by no means be a matter of guesswork.

Related readings:  Pollution threatens China's national liquor  Maotai shares re-open for trading Rumors increase as shares suspended Maotai gains from age of consumption

Considering the country's peculiar political culture, we can understand if the Moutai management lacks precise information about Qiao's whereabouts.

But someone must know. And we do not believe such information qualifies as a "State secret".

So where is Qiao? 

The anxious shareholders deserve an answer. So does the public.

The baffling explanations are harmful to all parties. But the immediate economic loss for shareholders is the least worrisome. The biggest loser is the local authorities.

Their damaged credibility may appear negligible at this point. But the accumulated damage may prove debilitating.

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