The mysterious death of mainland Chinese actor Yu Menglong continues to stir heated debate. Despite Beijing’s heavy-handed censorship, voices at home and abroad are pushing to uncover the truth. Now, a long-time friend of Yu’s, identified only as Mr. Ouyang, has spoken out from overseas, revealing stunning details and pointing the finger directly at the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
‘He was kind, he would never take his own life’
Speaking to The People’s Daily (Overseas Edition), Ouyang insisted Yu was gentle, sincere, and never the type to commit suicide. While Yu had privately admitted that the entertainment industry was exhausting and at times made him consider leaving, Ouyang stressed that the real cause of Yu’s downfall was political: “The real culprit is the CCP.”
Ouyang recalled meeting Yu in middle school, where they bonded over painting and photography. Even after Ouyang emigrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, they kept in touch via phone and video calls.
“In May last year, he told me filming was tiring, that he didn’t want to flatter certain people just to get roles,” Ouyang said. “Sometimes he wanted to quit the industry. But in early August, when we last spoke, he was happy. He even promised to send me his latest photo album. That album never came—only the news of his death. I couldn’t believe it. It was too sudden, too shocking.”
Powerful figures in the background
According to Ouyang, Yu was under immense pressure from figures with deep political connections. “He once told me that the people deciding his roles had Red Second Generation [children of top CCP officials] backing. He even said a director offered to take him into Zhongnanhai [the CCP leadership compound]. They got as far as Fuyou Street before Yu backed out because of a phone call. The director went in without him.”
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Ouyang also pointed out that Yu was preparing for a new film role as Song Dynasty poet Liu Yong this summer—hardly the act of someone on the brink of suicide. “And at that dinner party the night he died, there were so many people. If it was suicide, why didn’t anyone stop him? Why wasn’t he given medical help? Why didn’t anyone even call an ambulance?”
‘The system killed him’
Asked about speculation over potential suspects, Ouyang dismissed the idea of pinning blame on individual celebrities or tycoons. “Without powerful officials behind them, these people wouldn’t have gotten this far. Yu Menglong’s tragedy lies in the clash between his integrity and the CCP’s corruption and decadence. The industry is rife with money-for-favors, sexual transactions, and outright crimes. Many actresses are mistresses of Red Second Generation elites, and some actors are reduced to male escorts. In that sense, it’s the CCP’s system that killed him.”
A naïve faith in good deeds
Ouyang admitted Yu had little awareness of the deeper political dangers. “He often talked to me about doing good deeds—donating to schools or charities. But all those organizations work for the CCP. Donations often get siphoned off by officials. His kindness was feeding the very system that destroyed him.”
Ouyang, who remained in close contact with Yu, recalled that the actor had even been excited to appear on CCTV. But to him, this only underscored the tragedy.
“CCTV is nothing but the CCP’s propaganda machine,” Ouyang said bluntly. “It lies for the Party and brainwashes the people. Yu’s tragedy was that, after being brainwashed, he channeled his talent and good deeds in the wrong direction—unknowingly feeding the very system that destroyed him. From abroad, I can see this reality much more clearly.”
Why he chose to leave China
When asked why he himself had left China and why he didn’t manage to help Yu break free, Ouyang pointed back to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During the Wuhan lockdown, I saw neighbors starve to death or die from poisoning because they couldn’t get supplies. Later, after the White Paper movement, the CCP lifted all restrictions overnight. Because I joined that movement, I feared retaliation, so when I got abroad, I decided never to return.”
From overseas, Ouyang said, he urged Yu to “make the three withdrawals” (renouncing membership in the Communist Party and its affiliated organizations). “One time we were video-chatting while I was walking outside. Behind me was a banner about the three withdrawals. I told him, ‘This could save your life.’ Sadly, he didn’t listen. Instead, he warned me to be careful and to get away quickly.”
Life abroad versus life under the CCP
Reflecting on his years abroad, Ouyang listed the stark differences he saw compared with China:
- Environment: “The air and water are clean. In the mountains, you can drink water straight from the stream.”
- Food Safety: “There’s no toxic food. Ironically, food exported from China is healthier than what ordinary Chinese people eat. Inside China, the CCP lets its people eat poison while it seeks prestige abroad.”
- Trust and Safety: “People are kind. Society is safe. Streets aren’t covered with surveillance cameras, and in the subway you never see security checks everywhere like in China.”
- Social Support: “Here, there’s free aid for the poor. Even foreign refugees are provided with housing and food. Human rights and freedom are woven into daily life.”
- Freedom of Belief: “You can have different faiths, values, and lifestyles. No one forces their choices on others. Personal freedom is respected.”
“These things go beyond words,” Ouyang concluded. “It’s a kind of freedom and safety that seeps into your bones. Once you experience it, you understand how different life can be.”
Worldwide support for Yu Menglong as CCP suppresses the truth
Following Yu Menglong’s untimely death, many came forward to speak on his behalf, including mainland Chinese veterans such as Lin Beichuan, actors Li Tingzhe and Sun Lin, Hong Kong singers Chen Xiaodong and Jenny, as well as his mentors Song Zude and Sun Derong, along with countless online users. Yet, the case has faced intense suppression by the CCP. Authorities not only deleted posts and suspended accounts but reportedly arrested and threatened those who spoke up, fueling speculation that the incident may involve CCP high-ranking officials.
Netizens continue to investigate, seeking to uncover the truth. However, due to tight internet controls in China, domestic citizens are largely unable to speak freely. Many have resorted to accessing overseas platforms to raise awareness. On September 20, a campaign titled “Seek Justice for Yu Menglong” was launched on the global NGO AVAAZ website. As of now, over 130,000 people worldwide have signed the petition.
The Yu Menglong case has exposed the cruelty and corruption of the CCP, prompting widespread condemnation. The storm triggered by this sudden incident continues to exert pressure on the regime.
‘Quitting the CCP’ for safety and protection
In late 2004, The Epoch Times published its editorial series Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, sparking a nationwide movement known as the “Three Withdrawals.” The series exposed the CCP’s historical crimes and argued that participation in the Party or its affiliated organizations marks one with an “evil imprint.” Only by publicly renouncing membership—leaving the Party, the Youth League, and the Young Pioneers—can individuals remove this imprint.
Since then, millions of Chinese who understand the truth have declared their withdrawals. To date, 450 million people have publicly renounced the CCP and its affiliated organizations.
Reports from Minghui.org and The Epoch Times document numerous cases where individuals reportedly experienced blessings after making the three withdrawals—surviving car accidents unscathed or recovering from serious illnesses. The implication is that distancing oneself from the CCP’s evil actions invites protection and fortune. If Yu Menglong had recognized the truth and made the three withdrawals, his fate, some argue, might have been different.
By Cai Siyun, Janet Huang
