When actor Yu Menglong tragically died on 11 September, the official narrative felt thin.
What began as a local tragedy has exploded into a national scandal, not because of a criminal investigation—which authorities have refused to open—but because of the astonishing lengths the Chinese government has gone to in order to silence it. Instead of answers, the public received censorship: deleted posts, suspended accounts, and official stonewalling.
Yet, this heavy-handed suppression has utterly backfired. Online anger, both inside and outside of mainland China, has only intensified, turning the actor's death into a flashpoint against official corruption. At the heart of this resistance is a courageous whistleblower, known as Ren Beichuan, whose campaign to name a high-ranking official has placed his life in immediate danger.
Yu Menglong was a popular television actor best known for his roles in period drama series and had a significant social media following, which helped amplify the shock and scrutiny over his death. This is the story of a man fighting for justice in the case of Yu Menglong, and why the Communist Party of China is so desperate to see him disappear.
The Whistleblower's Dangerous Quest for Justice in the Yu Menglong Case
Following the mysterious circumstances surrounding Yu Menglong's death, Ren Beichuan, who identifies himself as a 'retired soldier' and a 'descendant of a revolutionary family,' quickly emerged as one of the most outspoken voices demanding accountability.
His activism, however, came at a cost. He publicly stated that he was initially detained in Beijing for two weeks simply for questioning the official, sanitised narrative.
The situation escalated dramatically on 25 October. Ren revealed he had formally filed a complaint against a key figure connected to the case, stating, 'The person I reported is the only one who has ever been directly and specifically named. I practically reported him face-to-face.'
Later, posting from a backup account before it was shut down, he provided a crucial detail: 'He's the central figure—the artery. Anyone who mentions him gets targeted. Everyone else is just cover, supporting actors, and scapegoats.'
Though images were instantly censored, users in the comments section reportedly named the official directly: Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong. This accusation, made directly against a State Councilor and head of the primary law enforcement agency, is one of the highest-level corruption claims made by a non-official in recent Chinese history.
Targeted for Exposure: Why Vanished After Naming a Minister
The next day, 26 October, Ren issued a grim, public warning that proved prescient. He declared that if he suddenly went silent or posted messages 'contrary to my will,' it would mean he had been detained.
'If that happens', he wrote, 'this account will never post again'. Despite the threats to his life, he was resolute: 'I will not say anything against my conscience. No one can help me—just wait patiently for me to come back.'
Two days later, on 28 October, his main and backup accounts were both suspended. Based on his last known location in Beijing, many netizens believe Ren was detained again.
According to one informed insider, Ren's accusations 'alarmed senior officials,' prompting urgent, internal meetings within the National People's Congress (NPC) system. 'Even my uncle, who works for the NPC, was called in', the source claimed, adding that 'everyone who knows the truth has been questioned.'
The same source alleged that Ren's claims implicated 'the highest administrator of a certain department', stating, 'The authorities' greatest fear is that the truth spreads. And with this case already so explosive, the investigation has become unprecedentedly severe.'
The insider concluded, 'Ren Beichuan has gone head-to-head with the system this time,' saying, 'I just hope someone protects him. Otherwise, it's going to come down to background and survival.'
The intense focus on background and survival suggests the involvement of individuals with powerful political ancestry, known as the 'princelings', who often operate above the law.
The Political Stakes in the Death of Yu Menglong
The political implications of the Yu Menglong case reach deep into the heart of the Party's power structure. Well-known independent commentator Li Muyang discussed the case on his program, citing emails from viewers that Ren had directly accused Wang Xiaohong, China's Minister of Public Security and State Councilor.
'Wang has both the power and motive to act as the umbrella shielding the suspects', Li said, 'which suggests the perpetrators' backgrounds are far more powerful than the public realises'.
Li further noted that the prime suspect, Li Ming (known online as Jiguang Guang), is allegedly the grandson of former premier Li Peng—the son of Li Xiaoyong and Ye Xiaoyan, who is the granddaughter of revolutionary hero Ye Ting. Li added, 'The Li family remains a pillar of the Party's red aristocracy'.
Another suspect, Cai Yijia, is rumoured to be the illegitimate son of Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi. 'It's not unreasonable to believe there's a power transaction between Cai Qi and Wang Xiaohong,' Li suggested. If true, the political fallout from the case would extend well beyond the entertainment world and directly challenge the Party's inner circle.
The public outcry has been substantial. Messages of solidarity have poured in online: 'Ren Beichuan lives up to his name—upright and unyielding. May heaven protect him.'
Others launched calls for economic boycotts: 'If the wicked silence us, we'll silence their industry. Stop watching dramas, stop spending a dime on domestic entertainment.' The fact that an online petition surpassed 640,000 signatures despite rigorous censorship highlights the deep public distrust in the official handling of the case.
The Veteran's Call: Military Pressure for Yu Menglong
After days of silence, Ren Beichuan dramatically resurfaced on Weibo (a popular blogging and social media site akin to Twitter in China) on 30 October. He posted a photo of his veteran's military ID, declaring himself a retired border special-operations officer—and warned it might be the last time he spoke under that identity.
In a bold move, he wrote: 'The only force that can restrain the government is the army. The military and the state must balance each other.' He then appealed to fellow veterans to use their official identities to file reports and exert pressure for transparency. 'If enough soldiers stand up', he said, 'I can submit all evidence in our name.'
His call for 'military oversight of government' went viral, drawing widespread response from other veterans online. Using a military identity to challenge the civilian government is seen as an extremely risky and nearly unprecedented move, leveraging the army's unique status within the Chinese political system.
Soon after, Ren's verified account was deleted. He was reportedly told he could 'no longer speak publicly as a veteran.' His final message read: 'I can't say when I will be able to get online again.'
On 2 November, Ren suddenly posted his GPS location from the Andersen Garden complex in Beijing's Sunshine Shangdong residential district (the site of Yu Menglong's fall) with this cryptic message 'Meeting some people I should meet. Not here on my own. Can't say more. I've checked; it's safe to post this.' He then vanished again.
Disinformation Campaigns and the Quest for the Truth About Yu Menglong
A netizen named Beixing Qiye, known to have been in frequent contact with Ren, later posted on social media about the escalating intimidation. 'They came for me again—because I messaged Ren too much. They came at midnight and pressured my family. We can't sleep; they force us to sign statements. They want us to blame everything on him.'
Beixing Qiye claimed police had made their intent clear: 'As long as we push Ren Beichuan out as the scapegoat, we'll be fine. But we refused.' He warned that Ren's situation 'looks grim,' stating authorities intended to label him as a 'counterrevolutionary' and make an example out of him.
Beixing Qiye added that his Weibo accounts had been suspended 31 times for speaking out, saying, 'The one I'm using now is account number 32.' The frequent suspension and creation of new accounts mirrors the cat-and-mouse game played by activists and censors, where each new account is known as a 'trumpet' or 'vest' account.
The government's strategy shifted to public disinformation. On 4 November, Beixing Qiye reposted a QQ message from Ren: 'All suspects have now filed police reports against me for 'spreading rumors.' Don't DM me—whatever happens, remember this message.' He also cautioned others not to trust any 'official news' released about Ren.
Rumours quickly spread on Threads claiming that three celebrities—Song Yiren, Li Ming (Jiguang Guang), and Jiao Maiqi—were present at the scene of Yu Menglong's death. This viral post, purportedly from a 'friend of the family,' was quickly followed by a coordinated campaign to discredit the whistleblowers.
New accounts appeared on Bilibili, urging people to 'trust the family, not outsiders.' Observers believe this was a clear attempt to 'Force the family to issue statements confirming the police version—then declare the case closed.' Many drew parallels to the 2016 death of actor Qiao Renliang, whose parents were reportedly pressured to sign statements blaming 'depression' to quell public suspicion.
Despite this atmosphere of intimidation and censorship, supporters continue to demand an independent investigation. An online petition titled 'Justice for Yu Menglong' has surpassed 640,000 signatures, as users vow to 'keep writing, keep reporting, and keep the truth alive.'
The silence around Yu Menglong's death is not an accident; it is the calculated result of a high-level cover-up, exposing the immense power of the Party's 'red aristocracy.' The courage of Ren Beichuan, the vanishing whistleblower, and the sustained pressure from over 640,000 petitioners prove that the truth will not be silenced by censorship or threats.
Originally published on IBTimes UK
