Image Source: Visual China

BEIJING, May 7 (TMTPOST) — Li Ruijie, the board chair of Shenzhen Zhongqingbaowang Network Technology (300052.SZ), also known as ZQGame, has submitted his resignation letter to the board, according to the company’s announcement.

The development came after Li forced the company’s employees to work overtime during International Workers' Day.

ZQGame announced on Friday that the board has recently received a resignation letter from the board chair. According to the announcement, he will step down from the role of company board chair for work arrangements. After the resignation, he will serve as the head of ZQGame’s Strategy and Development Department.

Li Ruijie’s son, Li Yilun, will be appointed as the new board chair, the company announced.

Li Ruijie previously stirred up controversy on China’s social media for forcing employees to work overtime during the national holiday. He announced in the company’s communication channel that everyone at the company needed to work overtime during International Workers' Day. “Employees who disagree (with the decision) will be immediately fired from the company,” he said. Li Ruijie’s threats to the company’s employees were later posted online, attracting massive criticism.

ZQGame later made a public apology through its public account on WeChat.

The company claimed in the apology that ZQGame was working with full force to overcome the impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic, catch up with the research and development schedule and achieve business goals. ZQGame promised in the apology that it would comply with the labor law in China and protect employees’ legal rights. “The company’s board chair has realized the severity of the matter and made self-reflection,” the apology reads.

ZQGame is a Chinese company that makes massively multiplayer online games as well as other browser games and mobile games. The company became listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2010.