25 Notable Deaths Within 40 Days in China

In less than 40 days since the start of 2024, at least 25 prominent figures in China’s arts and culture sector have died of illness or accidents. Nine people were under the age of 60.

Among the deceased were Shi Yu, 53, senior editor of the Henan Daily Newspaper Group; Cheng Xue Li, 51, chairman of the Shijiazhuang Municipal Writers’ Association; Wang Zhichao, former director of the Harbin Repertory Theatre; Zhao Fu, former party chief of the Liaoning Daily Newspaper; Guo Jie, former deputy editor-in-chief and party chief of the Guangzhou Daily Newspaper; and Shen Rong, a renowned female writer and a member of Beijing Literary and Art Federation.

Most of them had been involved in producing or performing communist works. Writer and screenwriter Liu Jianhua produced a communist film praising the Chinese police, while writer Zhu Yueyu produced a TV drama on the same topic. Fan Xiangyang co-founded the China Red Flag website in 2012 and was editor-in-chief. Wang Zhichao has directed numerous communist dramas, one of which was specially produced and presented for the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Five People in Their 50s

Shi Yu, senior editor of Henan Daily Newspaper Group, passed away in Zhengzhou on Feb. 8 at 53 due to a sudden illness.

He also served as a master’s tutor at the School of Journalism and Communication of Henan University and a guest professor at Guangdong University of Finance and Economics.

Mr. Shi has received awards such as “Outstanding Journalist of Henan Province” and “Outstanding Contribution Award of the Provincial Periodical Sector” from the Chinese authorities and more than 130 awards at the provincial level. His articles have been republished or archived in Xinhua Digest, China Publishing Almanac, and Journalism and Communication.

Cheng Xue Li, president of the Shijiazhuang City Writers’ Association and a well-known writer, passed away on Feb. 7 at 51.

A close friend of Ms. Cheng revealed that Ms. Cheng was involved in a car accident on Jan. 16 and had been in a coma since then, relying on a respirator to keep her alive. She died after 20 days.

She wrote several red works praising the CCP military and was awarded the title of “Top Ten Young Writers” in Hebei Province in 2018.

Eric Cheng Kai-tai, a Hong Kong actor, television host, and emcee, was sent to the hospital in the early hours of Feb. 3 due to diarrhea and leg cramps. Although his initial symptoms suggested it was a minor illness, he died that same night at the age of 56.

Rock singer and songwriter Xia Hui died suddenly on Jan. 13 at 50. He was the champion of a five-province singing competition and was named one of the “Shenzhen Top Ten Red Singers” in 1996.

Mr. Xia and his band participated in the Chinese New Year Gala of the Chinese Performing Arts Industry in 2020 as the music director.

Yan Jianping, a Zhejiang Provincial Writers’ Association member, died of illness on Jan. 20 at 51.

Gang Yi, a Tibetan singer, died of illness on Jan. 2 at the age of 50. He had sung on the stage of China Central Television in his early years.

Three People Under 45

Song Zhenxi, a renowned Chinese curator, died suddenly on Feb. 5, at the age of 39, while traveling in Malaysia. Mr. Song was a researcher at the Exhibition Culture Research Center of the China Academy of Art and the director of the Curatorial Department of the Media City Research and Development Center of the China Academy of Art.

Zhang Lan, a former reporter for Financial Magazine and Caixin Media, died in Beijing on Jan. 27 at the age of 41 after medical efforts failed to revive her. She was best known for conducting field interviews after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

Zhao Zheng, a veteran media personality, passed away in Beijing on Jan. 19 at 44. He suffered a heart attack on the afternoon of Jan. 13 and was rushed to the hospital, where he received emergency treatment for seven days.

In his early career, Mr. Zhao was a department head at the Beijing Times and Legal Evening News. He later founded his own media company.