HONG KONG—A Beijing court sentenced an influential businessman known for his outspoken criticism of China’s leader, Xi Jinping, to 18 years in prison, meting out harsh punishment in a corruption case that is likely to chill dissent within the Chinese political elite.
Ren Zhiqiang, 69 years old, was sentenced Tuesday after being convicted of corruption, receiving bribes, embezzlement and abuse of power, the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People’s Court said in an online notice. Mr. Ren, a well-connected member of Beijing’s political…