Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Gu Wanming, a retired Xinhua News Agency reporter, was arrested in October 2023 for publishing an open letter questioning the cause of death of former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. In November 2024, he was sentenced to one year in prison by a Shanghai court for the crime of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble," and Xinhua News Agency subsequently revoked his retirement benefits.
Li Keqiang died suddenly in Shanghai on October 27, 2023. On October 30 of the same year, Gu Wanming, former head of Xinhua News Agency's Guangdong branch, published an open letter in his capacity as a member of the Communist Party of China, demanding that the authorities investigate the cause of Li Keqiang's death and making five demands.
These five demands are: 1. Cease cremation pending investigation; 2. Establish a joint investigation team to ascertain the truth of Li Keqiang's death; 3. Investigate all relevant personnel and hold them accountable according to law; 4. Conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death; 5. Establish a funeral committee to hold a proper funeral for Li Keqiang.
The letter stated that "after Li Keqiang's sudden death, the relevant authorities did not explain the cause of death or the rescue process, only saying 'due to heart disease.' This raises many questions and has generated considerable public debate, causing significant public concern."
The report also noted that Gu Wanming was criminally detained by the authorities shortly after the open letter was published. In November 2024, he was sentenced to one year in prison by the Minhang District Court of Shanghai for the crime of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble," and on December 10 of the same year, Xinhua News Agency revoked his retirement benefits.
