A well-known musician and associate professor at Shihezi University in Xinjiang Corps, Kong Yuanyuan, passed away on May 2, 2026, at the age of 44. In recent times, several young literary and artistic figures in mainland China have passed away.
On May 3, 2026, the official WeChat account of the School of Literature and Art at Shihezi University announced the passing of Kong Yuanyuan due to an incurable illness. She passed away at 21:13 on May 2, 2026, at the age of 44.
According to a source at Shihezi University, Kong Yuanyuan did not attend classes last week due to a fever. On April 23, 2026, she went to the hospital for treatment and was diagnosed with pneumonia, which was not severe at the time. However, on April 24, it suddenly turned into acute pneumonia, with her left lung entirely affected. That night, Kong Yuanyuan suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. After being revived, she fell into a coma and passed away on the evening of May 2 after being in a coma for 8 days.
Public records indicate that Kong Yuanyuan, born on July 7, 1981, was an associate professor in the Department of Music and Dance at the School of Literature and Art at Shihezi University. She also served as the Vice President of the Mass Creation Association of the Musician Association of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Kong Yuanyuan had been engaged in music teaching and composition for a long time, and she was a singer and musician. She won the championship in the Xinjiang region of “The Voice of China” in 2014 and had participated in several programs on CCTV, the state television broadcaster, in 2025.
According to their official website, Shihezi University is affiliated with the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and was established in 1996 through the merger of several institutions including the Shihezi Agricultural College, Shihezi Medical College, and others.
Kong Yuanyuan, known as a third-generation member of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, had organized military music and composed songs like “Youth of the Corps.” She was awarded the title of “Outstanding Actor” at the 9th and 10th Corps Literary and Artistic Performances and was recognized as an advanced music worker by the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Musician Association.
Recently, there has been a series of sudden deaths among young Chinese individuals in the literary and artistic fields.
On May 2, 2026, Chen Xifei, a well-known presenter from Mianyang, Sichuan, passed away at the age of 37 due to ineffective treatment.
On April 30, 2026, Bian Bazaxi, the deputy head of the Kangba Cultural Arts Troupe in Chamdo, Tibet, died at the age of 58 due to a sudden brain hemorrhage.
On April 20, 2026, Ye Jun, a director who directed “Preserving Cultural Relics in the Forbidden City,” passed away at the age of 43 due to an incurable illness.
On April 15, 2026, Yi Lian, a young artist and alumnus of the China Academy of Art, died at the age of 38 after unsuccessful medical treatment.
On April 14, 2026, Wang Zijie, the founder of Shanghai Siba Culture and Media Group Co., Ltd., passed away at the age of 63 due to a sudden cardiac condition.
On April 10, 2026, Wen Chenglin, a member of the Television Drama Directors Committee of the China Television Artists Association and a director at the Beijing Television Art Center, died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 62.