In recent news, a man from mainland China, Ruan Shaoping, who claimed to be a “Chinese Academy of Sciences academician” and a senior general of the Chinese Communist Party, has been exposed for fabricating his identity after roaming in the education and business sectors for years. He even proclaimed himself as the 27th generation descendant of Shuibo Liangshan and Ruan Xiaoqi, and was involved in traditional Chinese medicine and the liquor industry. Various official institutions have been quick to distance themselves from him, and similar incidents disclosed by authorities in recent years often ended without proper consequences.
Ruan Shaoping, presenting himself as “Chinese Academy of Sciences academician Ruan Shaoping,” had been hired as a primary school curriculum instructor, frequently giving lectures at schools and attending various business forums. He was still active in events as of July this year.
Starting from August 5, Chinese media outlet The Paper began to reveal Ruan Shaoping’s false claims, and relevant authorities confirmed that his status as a Chinese Academy of Sciences academician was completely fabricated.
During his speeches, Ruan Shaoping even saluted military-style. From various presentations and videos of his speeches, he identified himself as a senior general of the CCP, former Deputy Dean of the First Military Medical University, the political commissar of Huoshenshan Hospital, deputy commander of Leishenshan Hospital, and more. He also claimed to be a descendant of a famous general, joined the military at 14, led a regiment in the Sino-Vietnamese self-defense counterattack war, and was hailed as a military hero during the SARS outbreak, serving as the political commissar of Xiaotangshan Hospital, among other self-proclaimed titles.
In February 2023, during a visit to a primary school in Dongguan, Ruan Shaoping was introduced by the school as the director and Ph.D. of Beijing Ruanshuntang TCM Hospital, the 27th generation heir of Shuibo Liangshan and Ruan Xiaoqi.
It was reported that for many years before his false identity was exposed, countless students in primary and secondary schools had “listened” to the lectures of this fake academician.
It is said that in addition to his deceptive academic identity, Ruan Shaoping also had business involvements in traditional Chinese medicine and liquor. Information from Tianyancha shows that he was involved in the management of four enterprises. In 2016, he became the legal representative, general manager, and executive director of Shenzhen Ruanshuntang Liquor Co., Ltd. In June 2022, Ruan Shaoping claimed external investment in Beijing Ruanshuntang TCM Hospital, withdrew as an investor in December 2023, and completely divested in April 2024.
Several duped official institutions and academies have already responded to this matter.
On August 6, The Paper reported that the local education department in Guangzhou had taken note of Ruan Shaoping’s previous activities in the area. The relevant schools have also reported this situation.
The Tai Xue School at Luofushan Mountain in Boluo County, Huizhou City, Guangdong, had previously introduced Ruan Shaoping as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on its official WeChat account. On the afternoon of August 5, a staff member of Tai Xue School at Luofushan Mountain stated that Ruan Shaoping and others were acquainted with internal staff of the school at the time and had come to the school as friends, not as specially invited guests. The mentioned article on the school’s public account has since been deleted.
Ruan Shaoping also claimed to be the former Deputy Dean of the First Military Medical University. The First Military Medical University is the predecessor of Southern Medical University. On August 6, Southern Medical University responded to the media, stating that Ruan Shaoping’s identity as the former Deputy Dean of the First Military Medical University was fabricated.
In July this year, the International Medical University announced that Professor Ruan Shaoping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was appointed as the dean of two of its colleges. The university stated that it would conduct an investigation to safeguard its reputation.
Furthermore, last month, the official public WeChat account of the Yulin Agricultural and Rural Bureau issued a notice regarding the 2025 Mulberry Tree Academic Symposium of the China Silkworm Association, mentioning “Chinese Academy of Sciences academician Ruan Shaoping extending congratulations online” at the meeting. On August 6, the official public account of the Yulin Agricultural and Rural Bureau had removed this information.
Incidents of impostors impersonating government departments or officials of the Chinese Communist Party have been heard of in recent years. However, two cases disclosed by authorities did not have any follow-up information.
In June this year, it was exposed that someone falsely claimed to be the Dean of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University and participated in activities for a long time. The impersonator, Cao Yulei, denied the allegations when responding to the questioning, stating that “Tsinghua SEM is my brand.” Cao Yulei had also served as the legal representative of Beijing Clever Education Technology Co., Ltd., and Beijing Clever Momentum Technology Holdings Co., Ltd.
Huang Xiaoyu, a lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons in Beijing, told the media New Beijing News that if “Cao Yulei” appeared as the Dean of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University, and it was indeed his fabrication, it could potentially involve criminal offenses.
However, these incidents often fade out without a proper resolution.
On May 24, 2023, China’s National Development and Reform Commission issued a statement under its subordinate Development Strategy and Planning Department, noting the spread of false information by certain individuals and organizations claiming to be the “National Leading Group for Filling Shortcomings and Strengthening Weaknesses,” using the pretext of county construction. Still, the NDRC did not disclose any information about the swindling groups and members, and there has been no further update on the handling of the situation, for reasons unknown.
On August 11, 2019, a national website purportedly supervised by the National Supervision and Inspection Academy of the People’s Republic of China—China Integrity Supervision Network, was shut down by the authorities.
Additionally, retired military personnel “Shangguan Fengli” was criminally detained by the Shenzhen police in October 2017 for pretending to be a counselor of the State Council and a general, deceiving people nationwide with a fabricated project called “Grand China of Happiness” directly managed by the State Council.
Commentator Li Linyi told Da Ji Yuan that the ability of fake academicians, fake generals, and even fake descendants of generals to deceive people nationwide for years stems from the Chinese Communist Party’s privileged system, where people idolize power and those in authority, clouding their judgment. The lack of repercussions for these fraudsters may also be linked to their connections in the official circles.