14 High-Level Corporate Executives Died in China in First 2 Months of 2024

Patients on beds set up in the atrium area of a busy hospital in Shanghai, China, on Jan. 13, 2023. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

China is again seeing a disturbing trend of public figures suddenly dying. In the two months of this year, China has reported the deaths of at least 14 high-level corporate executives. All died of illness, and nine were under the age of 60.

The group includes Zong Qinghou, founder and chairman of Hangzhou Wahaha Group; Shen Qingkai, 50, chairman and general manager of Risuntek Inc; Du Hua, 50, the richest man in Laning County, Shandong, and chairman of China Century Group; Zhu Lei, 40, an independent director of Dare Power Dekor Home.

Chairmen of Big Companies

Shen Qingkai, one of the de facto controllers, chairman, and general manager of Risuntek Inc., a company listed on the A-share market, passed away on Feb. 28 at the age of 50 due to a sudden illness for which medical treatment was ineffective.