By Li Jingyao, Vision Times
The sudden and suspicious death of mainland Chinese actor Yu Menglong on Sept. 11 has remained a major topic of discussion both in and out of China, despite Beijing’s heavy-handed censorship and efforts to squash online speculation and calls for accountability. A global petition calling for justice and a thorough investigation into the suspicious circumstances surrounding Yu’s death has already garnered more than 130,000 signatures worldwide.
Now, leaks concerning top Chinese leaders, including Xi Jinping and Cai Qi, have only further fueled speculation, with analysts suggesting that the timing and scope of the censorship may point to connections with the upcoming Fourth Plenary Session of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Is Yu’s mother missing?
Political blogger Lao Deng also revealed that intermediaries have been unable to contact Yu’s mother, suggesting authorities may have placed her under strict control and moved her away from both Xinjiang (where Yu was born) and Beijing.
Lao further noted that Yu’s death on Sept. 11 coincided closely with the Sept. 10 death of American political activist Charlie Kirk. Just as Kirk’s death galvanized conservatives in the U.S., he said, Yu’s death is awakening young Chinese netizens to the realities of the CCP system.
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Because of these recent events, many young people, Lao argued, are now beginning to question systemic corruption, the exploitation of actors, and the abuses of power that directly affect their lives.
Links to the Fourth Plenary Session
On AVAAZ, a global NGO platform, over 130,000 people have signed the petition “Justice for Yu Menglong.” Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have issued a sweeping gag order, banning all discussion of Yu’s death online and ordering the blackout to continue until November.
RELATED: ‘He Was Wronged’: Yu Menglong’s Spirit Appears in Mentor’s Dream as Calls for Justice Grow
U.S.-based commentator Chen Pokong observed that Yu has not only been erased from previously aired dramas but also scrubbed from all online platforms, saying he is being treated post-humously as an “enemy of the state.” Chen went on to call the move “highly unusual.”
Chen further noted that the censorship order’s duration, which stretches until November, is extraordinarily long for a celebrity case. He linked the timing to the CCP’s Fourth Plenary Session, scheduled for October, which will officially focus on “economic and social issues” but could also involve major personnel changes that affect Chinese leader Xi Jinping himself.
According to Chen, these changes might include reshuffling in the Politburo Standing Committee, the broader Politburo, or the Central Military Commission, potentially signaling who could succeed Xi in the future. Suppressing information about Yu’s case, Chen argued, could be aimed at protecting individuals with ties to the Plenary Session. For example, if a figure in the entertainment industry linked to Yu’s death had family or political ties to Cai Qi, strict censorship would serve to shield political interests.
RELATED: Shocking Revelations from Yu Menglong’s Friend: Massive Insider Details Stun Public
Ming Juzheng, an emeritus professor of political science at National Taiwan University, made a similar point on “Political and Economic Frontline,” noting, “If authorities are suppressing discussion only to delay it until after the Fourth Plenary Session, it strongly indicates that those involved may have ties to participants of the Plenary Session.”
Ming also clarified that this does not prove direct involvement of top officials but “raises the likelihood” that relatives or affiliates of senior leaders are implicated. He also noted the unusual speed with which police ruled out criminal activity in Yu’s death — something he suggested is more common when political power struggles are at stake.
Ming outlined four possible trajectories for Yu’s case:
- Suppression: Attempts to escalate the issue fail, and the case is buried.
- Escalation: The incident triggers new scandals and retaliation, intensifying conflict.
- Stalemate: Both sides reach a temporary standstill, pausing hostilities to avoid mutual damage.
- Full-scale clash: The conflict spirals, producing successive scandals and uncontainable attacks.
Tian Hairong: ‘a front for Bo Xilai’
Political commentator Li Dayu chimed in with a new viewpoint, claiming the case involves figures such as Xin Qi, Cheng Qingsong, and Tian Hairong. He alleged: “Tian Hairong is a minor-tier actress, but her most significant role is not as an actress — it is as a front for Bo Xilai.”
RELATED: Justice for Yu Menglong: Censorship, Power, and the Fight to Expose the Truth
Tian’s late husband, Xu Ming, the former CEO of Dalian Shide, had close ties to Bo. Cheng Qingsong, originally a screenwriter, openly supported Bo on social media. According to Li, Cheng and Tian have been close collaborators since 1999, with Cheng facing accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct in later years. For someone with such controversies to remain influential, Li argued, suggests powerful backing: “This network is suspected to be linked to Bo Xilai. Even though Bo has fallen, his network remains extensive.”
After Xu Ming’s death in prison, Tian inherited significant wealth and quickly rose in prominence within the entertainment industry. Alongside Cheng, she established a sphere of influence still felt today.
Threats against bloggers
Rumors also suggest that Xin Qi, a suspect allegedly tied to Yu’s death, attempted to silence critics abroad.
Anti-CCP blogger Lao Deng reported receiving a threatening email from someone claiming to be a friend of Xin Qi. The email demanded he stop spreading “false rumors,” denied Xin’s links to Xi Jinping or the case, and warned: “If you continue to spread rumors overseas, Xin Qi may sue you.” It even accused Yu of misconduct, claiming he had abused minors and died to avoid responsibility.
RELATED: Lao Deng: Why the CCP’s Crackdown on Falun Gong, Shen Yun Is Doomed to Fail
Lao Deng dismissed the threats by responding with: “You can sue or attack me all you want; it doesn’t matter to me. If you have the money and want to pursue a lawsuit overseas, go ahead — I see no problem with that. It’s still publicity for my channel and for me personally. I will continue to speak, continue to report, continue to follow leads. You won’t intimidate me. Whether you sue or do whatever else, even if you try to make me ‘fall to my death,’ I am not afraid. Can that scare me?”
International scrutiny
Yu’s death, ruled by authorities as an “accident fall” from a night of heavy drinking, continues to attract international coverage. Leaked videos and audio suggesting abuse before his fall have kept speculation alive.
On Sept. 23, the BBC ran a front-page report titled “Chinese Actor Yu Menglong Falls to Death: Why Do the Public Continue to Question the Official Report?” The article noted that while authorities swiftly dismissed the case and focused on debunking online rumors, the details remain opaque.
It further highlighted that public debate has only intensified in regards to whether Yu’s death was due to a suicide, whether entertainment industry pressures played a role, or whether elites were involved. Despite censorship on platforms like Kuaishou, Weibo, and Xiaohongshu, netizens remain determined to uncover the truth.
This is a developing story, and details will be updated as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for the latest developments.
