Chinese Actor Yu Menglong Mysteriously Falls to His Death Despite Authorities Quickly Ruling Out Criminal Suspicions and Issuing Internet Bans, the Incident Continues to Stir Discussion Both at Home and Abroad. Revelations related to top Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials Xi Jinping and Cai Qi have garnered attention. Some scholars believe the event may involve political power struggles, presenting four possible outcomes.
On September 11, according to online reports, 37-year-old Yu Menglong fell to his death from the fifth floor of a building in the Yang Guang Shang Dong residential area in Beijing’s Chaoyang district. Officially classified as a “fall from height under influence of alcohol,” his studio issued a statement of mourning, and authorities ruled out criminal suspicions within 24 hours. However, online rumors suggest Yu Menglong was victimized for resisting unwritten rules within the entertainment circle, involving the perpetrator, director Xin Qi, who is allegedly the illegitimate son of Cai Qi and a distant relative of Xi Jinping.
On September 22, the CCP Cyberspace Administration announced a two-month nationwide “Internet Martial Law” special operation to rectify social, short video, live broadcasting platforms, conducting a comprehensive inspection of topics, barrage comments, reviews, among others. The CCP Central Committee’s Fourth Plenary Session has been scheduled for mid-October.
Political Science Honorary Professor Ming Ju, from National Taiwan University, pointed out in the recent “Political Economics Frontline” episode on September 26, that the extent, scope, and duration of the CCP’s censorship on the Yu Menglong case surpassed expectations. The intensity of authorities blocking accounts and pursuing individuals made people suspicious.
Ming Ju noted that considering the timing, if authorities are suppressing public opinion until after the Fourth Plenary Session, it suggests a likely connection between the individuals involved and attendees of the session. He emphasized that this does not imply direct involvement of high-ranking officials in Yu Menglong’s case; however, the possibility is significant, as those implicated may not necessarily be the officials themselves, but could include their relatives.
Ming Ju further analyzed that the incident may implicate certain individuals conveniently surfacing during this sensitive time. Otherwise, it is hard to comprehend why authorities swiftly dismissed any criminal involvement following the death of an actor, hinting at underlying political power struggles.
There are four potential outcomes to the Yu Menglong case as proposed by Ming Ju: firstly, attempts to publicize the matter are stifled successfully; secondly, escalating tensions lead to further conflicts and retaliations; thirdly, a stalemate is reached with both parties in distress, possibly resulting in a temporary ceasefire; and fourthly, an escalation of scandals leading to a vicious cycle of attacks between the involved parties.
Previously, Taiwanese media commentator Hu Caiping expressed on Facebook that rumors surrounding the Yu Menglong case signify underlying mysteries, reminiscent of the decade-old incident involving Ling Gu, the son of Ling Jihua, which ultimately led to Ling Jihua’s downfall.
In a recent interview with the Epoch Times, American scholar Wu Zuolai pointed out the core suspicion regarding the abnormal speed and intensity at which the CCP authorities responded to the Yu Menglong incident. Wu stated, “If it were merely an ordinary accident, the investigation results should have been made public long ago. The swift conclusion and suppression of discussion indicate deep underlying issues possibly linked to high-level interests.”
Current affairs commentator Li Linyi analyzed the ongoing struggle between government and the public in this case, comparing it to the previous support for the “Iron Chain Woman” incident in recent years. However, this time, the situation directly implicates core CCP elites in Zhongnanhai, explicitly naming Xi Jinping and his confidant Cai Qi.
Li Linyi noted that the Yu Menglong incident is just the tip of the iceberg within the CCP’s authoritarian system. As the Chinese people adapt their mindset and face severe repression from the CCP, it may lead to online actions transitioning into offline activism, potentially influencing the political landscape, with further developments requiring close observation.