Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s sudden death in October 2023 raised lingering suspicions. Gu Wanming, former director of the Xinhua News Agency’s Guangdong branch, who had previously publicly questioned the cause of Li’s death, was reportedly sentenced and had his retirement benefits revoked. There are rumors that this was ordered by the Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi. Analysts from within the system believe that Li Keqiang’s death is related to Cai Qi, with ongoing tensions between Xi Jinping, the top leader of the Chinese Communist Party, and Li Keqiang suggesting a lack of peace even in sleep.
Gu Wanming, a veteran journalist at Xinhua News Agency who served as director of the Guangdong branch before retiring in 2011.
On February 9, 2025, independent commentator Cai Shunkun revealed on his X account that in November 2024, Gu Wanming was sentenced to one year in prison for “provoking trouble.” His retirement benefits were officially revoked by the authorities, stating that he was no longer considered a retired Xinhua News Agency staff member.
Previously, the official account stated Li Keqiang, who retired in March 2023, died of a sudden heart attack while resting in Shanghai on October 27 of the same year. However, many questioned the official cause of Li’s death.
On October 30, 2023, Gu Wanming issued an open letter online, requesting a halt to the cremation arrangements, a thorough investigation into Li Keqiang’s treatment process, evaluation of all related personnel, accountability, and autopsy of the body.
The open letter pointed fingers at the central authorities, suggesting that Li Keqiang’s trip to Shanghai for “rest” was apparently approved and arranged by the central government. It also raised concerns about delays in Li Keqiang’s rescue and lack of transparency in official facts, implying serious issues. The letter particularly mentioned “ambitious, conspiratorial, and corrupt elements within the party” targeting Li Keqiang, calling for truth and punishment for these individuals.
However, the Chinese authorities seemingly did not heed Gu Wanming’s views and instead suppressed him.
Independent commentator Du Zheng wrote in The Liberty Times on February 25 that Gu Wanming’s conviction revealed that the true cause of Li Keqiang’s death was a taboo for the authorities. From the perspective of the Chinese Communist Party’s system, Gu Wanming’s letter, even if not directly aimed at Xi Jinping, implicated individuals close to Xi, such as the Politburo Standing Committee member and head of the Central Office, Cai Qi.
According to the article, as Chinese National Academy of Administration professor Wang Yukai stated, there are specific regulations within the Central Office regarding activities of retired Politburo Standing Committee members, covering security, transportation, receptions, and various other matters. Whether intentional or due to negligence, Cai Qi and the Central Security Bureau under his control cannot evade responsibility for Li Keqiang’s death, but no one has been held accountable by the authorities. It is no wonder that during Li Keqiang’s farewell ceremony, when Cai Qi shook hands with Li’s wife Cheng Hong, she did not even look at him, while Li Keqiang’s daughter had a stern expression.
Du Zheng noted that from inside Beijing’s bureaucracy, there were reports that Cai Qi, who also manages the propaganda system, ordered a strict crackdown on Gu Wanming’s case. If Cai Qi indeed had intentions to eliminate Li Keqiang, it could be because of Xi Jinping, who consistently seeks centralized power and faces hindrance from factionalism, especially from Li Keqiang. Rumors of conflicts between Xi and Li during the latter’s tenure as Premier exacerbated tensions.
The article mentioned that Li Keqiang made his final government work report at the National People’s Congress meeting in March 2023. After the meeting, Xi and Li exchanged a cold handshake and avoided eye contact in a short, heartless moment. In such scenarios, viewed by Cai Qi, even if Xi did not say anything, actions would be taken below. Therefore, it was only a matter of time before Li Keqiang faced trouble.
The author pointed out that the political landscape of the Chinese Communist Party is treacherous, explaining the severe punishment Gu Wanming faced as a staunch supporter of Li Keqiang. The article also noted that even after Li Keqiang’s death, his lingering presence may disturb Xi Jinping’s sleep.
Independent TV producer Li Jun recently stated on New Tang Dynasty’s Elite Forum program that Gu Wanming entered Fudan University’s journalism department in 1978 and joined Xinhua News Agency in 1982. He belonged to the generation that witnessed China’s reform and opening up, making him likely a supporter of Deng Xiaoping’s policies and possibly of Li Keqiang. Li Keqiang’s sudden death was a significant blow to them. It was said that he was interested in the power dynamics between Xi and Li.
Independent commentator Cai Shunkun remarked that the health care for these Chinese leaders has always been well-organized. If Li Keqiang indeed had heart issues, his healthcare team would have advised against activities like swimming or extensive travel. The unexpected demise, in addition to the challenges he faced as Premier, stirred anger among party members and outsiders. Gu Wanming’s open letter anticipated consequences when he spoke out.
Veteran media figure Guo Jun commented on the Elite Forum, expressing that the Chinese authorities likely used Gu Wanming’s case as a warning to internal figures not to criticize top leadership. However, achieving that aim seems untenable. Some friends have mentioned that Beijing banquets now predominantly revolve around criticism. The political situation within the Chinese Communist Party is currently unstable, with the potential for sudden events. Xi Jinping is reportedly tense, and the more anxious he becomes, the more precarious his position, intensifying internal power struggles, with any unexpected occurrence likely proving fatal.