In October and November 2024, at least 31 well-known figures in the mainland Chinese literary and art circles passed away, most of whom had created red-themed works. Among them, 6 were under 60 years old, and at least 10 were members of the Chinese Communist Party. The deceased included two Russian literary translators, Rong Rude and Yue Fenglin, Yin Kuang, a professor at Nankai University, Wang Junyi, the former director of the Institute of Qing History at Renmin University of China, literary theorist Rao Pengzi, as well as Guo Zhihong, son of Guo Moruo and a pianist.
Notable musician from Shaanxi, representative figure of Qin Ge, Shi Sanlang, died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage on November 28, 2024, at the age of 58. Shi Sanlang, whose real name is Lv Xiaoping, was a teacher at the Shaanxi Art Vocational College, serving as a member of the Chinese Social Music Research Association and a visiting professor at the Humanities College of Xi’an Jiaotong University. He had created works such as “Roll up Your Sleeves and Work Hard” and “Missing the Motherland,” receiving numerous awards from the Communist Party authorities.
Chen Jinghong, member of the China Writers Association and director of the Jiangsu Network Writers Association, passed away on November 21, 2024, at the age of 46. Known as Lanse Shi, she authored popular works such as the novels “Under the Brocade Robe” and “A Piece of Ice Heart in the Jade Bottle.”
Jin Chaozhe, executive director of the Guangdong Stage Art Research Society, expert at the Guangdong Performing Arts Industry Association, and associate professor at the Guangdong Foreign Languages Arts and Crafts Vocational College, died on November 21, 2024, at the age of 50 due to an incurable illness. Jin Chaozhe had participated in various major events such as the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games opening and closing ceremonies, and was involved in the sound design of the epic historical drama “The Great Journey” commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party’s founding.
Wang Mingxuan, a veteran media personality, passed away on November 3, 2024, at the age of 59 due to an illness. Wang Mingxuan had worked at Dalian TV Station, Ray Media, Yinhan Communication, and Yongxin Video Booth, serving as the CEO of Guangzhou Starry Sky and the assistant general manager of the Guangzhou Oriental, among other positions.
Renowned painter and associate professor at the Art Education Department of the School of Architecture at Nanjing Tech University, Wang Dongchun, died on October 12, 2024, at the age of 51 due to a sudden illness.
Printmaker and full-time painter at the Wuhu Painting and Calligraphy Academy, Cui Xiaoming, passed away in Wuhu on October 4, 2024, at the age of 55 due to an incurable illness.
Member of the Communist Party of China, literary theorist, former vice president of Jinan University, professor of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Rao Pengzi, passed away in Guangzhou on November 27, 2024. Rao Pengzi, a female scholar, established the first doctoral program in literary arts at Jinan University in mainland China, pioneering the field of “comparative literary studies.”
Eminent librarian at the Shanghai Museum of Literature and History, distinguished Russian and English translator Rong Rude, passed away at Renji Hospital in Shanghai on November 26, 2024.
Tianjin, a distinguished expert in Chinese classical literature and culture, academician of the Royal Society of Canada, renowned figure in Chinese classical literature and research, Ye Jiaying, passed away in Tianjin on November 24, 2024. Ye Jiaying had been awarded several honors by the Communist Party, including the “Most Influential Foreign Expert in the 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening Up” and the “Chinese Government Friendship Award.”
Member of the Communist Party of China, member of the China Writers Association, and former editor-in-chief of “Sprout” magazine, Cao Yang, passed away in Shanghai on November 24, 2024. Cao Yang was known for creating red-themed works, and “Sprout” magazine is a publication under the Shanghai Writers Association, established in 1956 as the first literary publication targeting the youth after the founding of the Communist Party.
Expert in classical novels and researcher at the Literature College of Fujian Normal University, Ouyang Jian, passed away in Fuzhou on November 23, 2024. Ouyang Jian had previously served as the deputy director of the Literary Research Institute of the Jiangsu Academy of Social Sciences and the editor-in-chief of the magazine “Research on Ming and Qing Novels.”
Member of the Communist Party of China, historian of Qing history, and former director of the Institute of Qing History at Renmin University of China, Professor Wang Junyi passed away in Hong Kong on November 21, 2024.
Wang Junyi was directly involved in the founding of the Institute of Qing History, serving as the director of the research office, deputy director, and director of the institute. In 1991, he joined the China Social Sciences Press and later served as deputy editor-in-chief and editor-in-chief.
Member of the Communist Party of China, member of the China Writers Association, and former vice chairman of the Shanxi Writers Association, Zhang Shishan passed away in Taiyuan on November 23, 2024.
Member of the Communist Party of China, literary theorist, vice-president of Jinnan University, professor in the Chinese Language and Literature Department, Rao Pengzi, passed away on November 27, 2024 in Guangzhou. Rao Pengzi, a woman, established the first doctoral program in literary arts at Jinan University in mainland China, pioneering the field of “comparative literary studies.”
Librarian at the Shanghai Museum of Literature and History and a distinguished Russian and English translator, Rong Rude, passed away at Renji Hospital in Shanghai on November 26, 2024. Rong Rude had previously served as a teacher at the Shanghai Russian Language Vocational School (predecessor of Shanghai Foreign Language University), translating a large number of literary works from Russian and English. In 2003, Rong Rude was specially invited as a member of the 10th Shanghai CPPCC.
Chairman of the Chinese Writers’ Association, vice president of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC), Ouyang Jian, and other people close to the supervisor of supervisors, died in Fuzhou on November 23, 2024. Ouyang Jian had previously served as the deputy director of the Jiangsu Academy of Social Sciences Literary Research Institute, the editor-in-chief of the magazine “Research on Ming and Qing Novels.”
Member of the Communist Party of China, member of the China Writers Association, retired cadre of the Shanghai Literary and Art Publishing House, Xiu Xiaolin, passed away in Shanghai on October 2, 2024. Xiu Xiaolin had served as a platoon guide, school teaching director, and propaganda officer at the Mengyang Farm of the Yunnan Agricultural Development General Bureau.
Ye Jianxiong, a professor at the piano department of the Central Conservatory of Music, pianist, and composer, passed away on November 10, 2024, due to a sudden heart attack. Ye Jianxiong was the son of Guo Moruo. After the establishment of the Communist Party, Guo Moruo served as the first president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Deputy Prime Minister of the State Council and Director of the Cultural and Educational Committee, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the first chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and the first principal of the University of Science and Technology of China.
Member of the Communist Party of China, professor at the Beijing Normal University School of Music, retired cadre Yao Siyuan passed away in Beijing on November 8, 2024, due to an illness. Yao Siyuan had served as a director of the China Association of 音, vice chairman of the Beijing Association of 音, and the first chairman of the National Association of Higher Education Theory Composition.
Zheng Deren, former principal bassoonist of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, passed away on November 7, 2024. Zheng Deren had participated in the formation of the Shanghai Light Music Orchestra, with the term “light music” deriving from his contributions.
Member of the Communist Party of China, former head of the Department of Musicology at the China Conservatory of Music, professor, retired cadre Du Yaxiong passed away in Beijing on October 7, 2024, due to an illness. Du Yaxiong had served as the vice chairman of the China World Music Society, vice chairman of the China Music Therapy Society, and vice chairman of the China Ethnic Music Society.
Sheng player, professor at the China Conservatory of Music, former deputy director of the Chinese Music Department of the Attached Middle School of the China Conservatory of Music, Lin Fugui, passed away on October 7, 2024, at the age of 70. Lin Fugui also held positions such as director of the Chinese National Orchestra Association and vice president of the Chinese National Orchestra Association’s Sheng Professional Committee. He had recorded Sheng performances for China Central Television (CCTV) and China National Radio (CNR).
Professor at the School of Music at the Communication University of China, composer Liu Tianli, passed away in Beijing on October 6, 2024, after a long illness.
Nationwide conductor and composer Jin Zhengping passed away at Jishuitan Hospital in Beijing on October 4, 2024. Jin Zhengping had served as vice chairman of the Chinese Musicians Association Symphony Enthusiasts Society and executive director of the China Film Music Association, creating the red-themed opera “The Long March” (collaboration) and the symphony suite “The Silk Road” (four movements).
Renowned painter, art educator, and professor at the School of Architecture of Tsinghua University, Wang Naizhuang, passed away in Beijing on November 23, 2024. Wang Naizhuang had studied under Liu Haisu, Xu Beihong, Wu Zuoren, and other masters, devoting over 40 years to teaching art and architecture at Tsinghua University. He had also served as a director of the China Artists Association.
Vice Chairman of the Gansu Academy of Painting and Calligraphy, bird and flower painter Wei Ziqiang, passed away at his home in Lanzhou on October 10, 2024.
Chinese painting and ceramic dual artist, art educator, and professor at the Jingdezhen Ceramic University, Huang Meiyao, passed away on October 1, 2024. His works had been featured in the overseas edition of the Communist Party’s People’s Daily and their website.