Chinese actorKris WuRecently, Kris Wu has once again become the focus of public opinion. Multiple social media platforms and Chinese forums are abuzz with rumors that he allegedly died in a Beijing prison due to refusing to eat, and that his body was "secretly disposed of." Although the news has not been officially confirmed, the rumors have quickly sparked heated discussions in the Chinese-speaking community.
Kris Wu was sentenced to 13 years in prison by a Beijing court in 2021 for multiple sexual assault allegations and is believed to be currently imprisoned in a prison in Beijing or Hebei. Recently, reports surfaced that he died in early November due to organ failure caused by a prolonged hunger strike. Several independent media outlets claimed that the authorities had blocked information from the public, swiftly disposed of his body, and even warned relatives and media not to leak the news.
What's even more suspicious is that the Canadian government confirmed several Canadian citizens or those with Canadian citizenship or status were sentenced to death or died in prison in China this year. However, the Canadian side has not made a clear statement as to whether Kris Wu is on the list.
It is understood that Kris Wu, 35, holds dual Chinese and Canadian citizenship.
The news of Kris Wu's "death" spread rapidly, but related posts on WeChat, Xiaohongshu, and Douyin were quickly taken down, raising serious concerns about "speech censorship." As of now, neither the Beijing Public Security Bureau nor the judicial authorities have responded to questions regarding whether Kris Wu is dead.
Some Chinese netizens questioned that if the death news was false, the authorities should immediately refute it to stop the spread of rumors; however, if the news was true, it could involve human rights disputes at the international diplomatic level, especially the legal and humanitarian standards for dual citizens serving sentences in China.
｜Extended reading｜From exposing the alcohol-fueled drinking incident to serving time in prison, Kris Wu and Du Meizhu experienced vastly different fates over three years.
