In a recent development, Yang Xiaoming, dubbed the “Father of the Covid-19 Vaccine,” had his “National Innovation Vanguard” medal revoked by the authorities, sparking ridicule. Yang Xiaoming was investigated last year for reasons that remain unclear, with rumors even circulating that he had been sentenced to death. Some analysts speculate that he may serve as a scapegoat for issues related to China’s problematic vaccines.
On November 28th, the China Association for Science and Technology announced the revocation of the “National Innovation Vanguard Award” certificates awarded to Yang Xiaoming and Xu Zuo, citing “violations of discipline and law” as the reason. However, it is currently unknown when Yang Xiaoming received this award.
The “National Innovation Vanguard Award,” established jointly by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the China Association for Science and Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council in 2017, is awarded every three years to individuals and teams in the science and technology field, positioning them at the forefront of national scientific talent honors in the CCP state system.
It is worth noting that Yang Xiaoming also received the honorary titles of “National Advanced Individual in Fighting the Covid-19 Pandemic” and “Outstanding Communist Party Member” in September 2020. In December 2020, he was awarded the title of “Model of Central Enterprises” by the Party Committee of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. In November 2023, he received the “Outstanding Scholar Award” from the 11th China Immunology Society.
Currently, Yang Xiaoming’s awards have not been revoked.
Commentator Li Linyi pointed out how laughable it is that those praised by the CCP as “advanced individuals” or for their “advanced achievements” often turn out to be corrupt officials who were once considered “outstanding Party members” within the CCP and received training at the Central Party School. This highlights the corruption within the party.
Public records show that Yang Xiaoming, born on February 22, 1962, and of Tibetan descent from Zhouqu, Gansu Province, previously served as the chief scientist of the “863” Program Vaccine Project in China, director of the Joint Vaccine Engineering Technology Research Center, and chief scientist of the China National Pharmaceutical Group. He led a team in developing China’s first inactivated Covid-19 vaccine during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In late April 2021, Yang Xiaoming publicly stated that “China only took 98 days to develop the inactivated Covid-19 vaccine.” Later that year, he mentioned that from the approval of the project to research, development, and market launch of the Covid-19 vaccine by China Biology, it took a total of just over 330 days, setting an unprecedented speed. Yang Xiaoming gained widespread fame and was hailed as the “Father of China’s Vaccine” or “Father of the Covid-19 Vaccine.”
However, based on global experiences, the development and market launch of a vaccine typically take over 10 years. Even in faster scenarios, it would require 5 to 6 years.
The efficacy and safety of China’s domestically produced vaccines have been widely questioned both domestically and internationally since their release. Many people have complained on social media about various side effects following Covid-19 vaccination, including hives, leukemia, heart disease, and have questioned the association of mass incidents of sudden death with vaccination.
On April 26, 2024, the CCP officially announced that Yang Xiaoming, the former chairman and chief scientist of China Biology, was dismissed from the position of National People’s Congress delegate on suspicion of “serious violations of discipline and law.”
Following Yang Xiaoming’s downfall, there has been a wave of skepticism online in mainland China. Netizens have commented that the Covid-19 vaccines administered to ordinary Chinese citizens were developed by unscrupulous criminals, leaving them feeling helpless, fearful, and angry.
Tang Jingyuan, a political analyst with a medical background in the United States, previously told Dajiyuan that Yang Xiaoming’s investigation is likely related to the forthcoming concentrated outbreak of adverse effects associated with the China-made vaccines. Many individuals seek accountability and compensation, and the CCP is likely preemptively shifting blame by making Yang Xiaoming a scapegoat to shoulder the responsibility.
Former Beijing lawyer and Chairman of the Canada Movement Lai Jianping believes that Yang Xiaoming’s downfall undoubtedly involves sensitive, special, and political issues, possibly related to political disloyalty, perhaps espionage, or maybe due to holding too many non-disclosable secrets in the process of Covid-19 vaccine research and epidemic control, which the authorities deemed threatening, leading to his purge.
Five years after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the origins of the virus remain murky. However, an increasing number of people believe that the virus originated from a leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which involves CCP “national secrets.”
Regarding the revocation of Yang Xiaoming’s National Innovation Vanguard Award and certificate, a mainland Chinese self-media outlet, “Yao Lianshe,” stated that Yang Xiaoming was suspected of receiving massive kickbacks in vaccine production equipment procurement, research funding approval processes, and illegally transferring research and development funds, involving hundreds of millions of yuan. By October 2025, the case had progressed into a clearer judicial stage, focusing on charges such as bribery and abuse of power. A month later, the technology incentive system announced the withdrawal of the awards, forming a clear chain of handling.
However, the authorities have not yet disclosed details of Yang Xiaoming’s case.
In March this year, a screenshot circulating on the Baidu enterprise credit query tool “Aiqicha” claimed, “Yang Xiaoming, the developer of the Kexing vaccine, has been sentenced to death for violations of discipline and law.” Despite some self-media and netizens dismissing this as fake news, the authorities have not issued a clarification, and mainland official media have not reported anything on the matter.
Independent commentator Du Zheng recently wrote an article for Taiwan’s media “Shang Bao,” stating that in cases where CCP officials are implicated in “national secrets,” many individuals are often secretly sentenced and even secretly executed.
Xu Zuo, who was also stripped of the National Innovation Vanguard Award simultaneously with Yang Xiaoming, has a relatively clear case. He previously held positions as a member of the Party Committee and Deputy General Manager, Chief Engineer of China CITIC Group Limited. He was removed from the National People’s Congress delegate position on July 25, 2024, expelled from the party and official positions on December 12, and prosecuted for allegations of bribery and illegal operation of similar businesses on April 14 this year.