International Desk: Gao Shanwen, the noted Chinese economist who publicly disputed Beijing’s economic growth figures, has died at the age of 55. His death follows nearly a year away from public life and has prompted widespread expressions of sympathy.

The Shanghai Securities News reported that illness was the cause of death, though no further details were provided regarding the timing. A person close to Gao said that he had informed friends of a cancer diagnosis in January 2025.

Gao attracted global attention in late 2024 after speaking at a conference in Washington jointly hosted by the Peterson Institute for International Economics and a Chinese think tank. There, he contended that China’s true GDP growth between 2021 and 2023 was likely to have averaged around 2 per cent annually, well below the officially reported rate of about 5 per cent. He also suggested that the published figures may have significantly overstated actual economic performance.

Beyond his criticism of GDP data, Gao voiced concern over rising youth unemployment and what he viewed as overly loose economic policies. According to reports, these remarks drew the displeasure of China’s leadership, resulting in restrictions on his public commentary and the removal of related online content. The former chief economist of SDIC Securities was removed from his post in November 2025, and his Hong Kong investment adviser’s licence was later revoked.