Over the past three years, there has been a notable number of deaths among China’s elite, including many middle-aged individuals.
Between April 25 and May 10 of this year, five high-ranking officials at the vice-national and ministerial level of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) died due to illness, although specific diseases were not disclosed.
Among the deceased was Uyunqimg, an ethnic Mongolian and former vice chairperson of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, who died on April 30. Official obituaries described her as an “exemplary member of the Chinese Communist Party,” a “loyal communist fighter,” and a “distinguished leader in ethnic affairs and the construction of socialist legal systems.”
Also deceased is Liu Yi, a former minister of Commerce and Director of the National Tourism Administration, who died in Beijing on April 29. Having joined the CCP in May 1947, Mr. Liu participated in key battles during the Chinese Civil War and held significant positions in economic departments in Shandong after the establishment of communist China.
Gao Hongbin, former vice minister of Agriculture and honorary president of the China Dairy Industry Association, died on May 10 in Beijing at the age of 72. He served in various roles, including in the State Council’s Poverty Alleviation Office, and was vice minister of Agriculture from 2007 until his retirement in July 2013.
Han Zhenxiang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and former president of Zhejiang University, died on May 4 due to illness. Mr. Han served as president of the university from February 1984 to February 1988, a position equivalent to the vice-ministerial level in China. He was a prominent figure in the field of power systems and automation.
Xu Leyi, former vice chairman of the Anhui Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, died on May 2 in Hefei. Official eulogies praised him as an “exemplary Communist Party member and a loyal communist fighter.” Mr. Xu held various key positions in Anhui Province’s political and organizational structure throughout his career.
