China Sentences Xi Critic Ren Zhiqiang to 18 Years in Prison

HONG KONG—A Beijing courtroom sentenced an influential businessman known for his outspoken criticism of China’s chief, Xi Jinping, to eighteen years in prison, meting out harsh punishment in a corruption circumstance that is possible to chill dissent within the Chinese political elite.

Ren Zhiqiang, 69 years old, was sentenced Tuesday immediately after staying convicted…