Ren Zeping File Photo: VCG

Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo banned on Wednesday economist Ren Zeping, who has become an online celebrity, from posting on the platform for violating "relevant laws and regulations."

"Due to a violation of relevant laws and regulations, this user is currently in a muted status," read a brief notice on the profile page of Ren's verified Weibo account which has over 3.5 million followers. Previous postings on the account were still visible.     

The notice did not provide additional details and it remains unclear what triggered the action by the social media platform. 

Ren is a former chief economist at the real estate giant Evergrande Group and has been very active on social media posting comments on social and economic issues and promoting books.  

On Monday, Ren drew widespread attention by making suggestions for increasing fertility. In a post, Ren proposed numerous suggestions, including establishing a fertility encouragement fund, issuing 2 trillion yuan by the central bank to encourage births, and the goal of giving birth to 50 million more children in 10 years .

Ren also said that the current mainstream fertility groups are the people born between 1975 and 1985, while those born after 1990 do not have much desire to have children. 

These remarks have aroused public reactions on the internet with many expressing shock with his opinions.

As of Wednesday night, the ban of Ren being in social media attracted more than 3 million views on Sina Weibo with mixed comments on the platform's action. 

Some users supported Weibo's move to suspend Ren's account, saying that he is "talking through his hat" and questioning his professionalism as economist. Some also raised questions about why he was suspended.