StayGate: The inside story of money laundering by CCP elites in the entertainment industry is exposed

Direct translation

Yu Menglong is targeted, and the inside story of money laundering by CCP elites in the entertainment industry is exposed

Reporter : Li Siya / Editor : Lin Qing / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2025/10/27/a104033338.html / Image : File photo of Chinese actor Yu Menglong. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

The mysterious death of Chinese actor Yu Menglong is shrouded in mystery. The public's pursuit of the truth has also uncovered the dark underbelly of the mainland entertainment industry, where artists' names are used to register "arms trademarks," suspected of being used to launder money for high-ranking CCP officials, cover up arms smuggling and corruption, and even have ties to the horrific live organ harvesting industry. Furthermore, the web of influence woven by powerful companies like his agency, Tianyu Media, within the entertainment industry is truly astonishing.

Yu Menglong debuted in 2013 by placing tenth in the national competition "Happy Boy." From then on, his life trajectory was locked in by Tianyu Media. According to mainland media reports, Tianyu Media included a priority renewal clause when signing the contract, requiring artists to renew if Tianyu's proposed renewal terms were at least 80% of the market price. Termination would require a hefty penalty.

Tianyu Media, a core agency within the Hunan Radio and Television system, was established in 2004. Its business scope encompasses record distribution, entertainment event planning, various performance planning, and copyright trading.

Tianyu Media's stringent contract model fosters a strict artist control system. Most of its artists are under full contract (meaning both their agency and record contracts are with Tianyu). For example, Yu Menglong's 2013 contract included, in addition to the standard exclusive agency clause, strict restrictions such as a ban on unauthorized performing activities.

Similar to Yu Menglong, many artists face the dilemma of terminating their contracts with Tianyu Media. For example, Chen Chusheng's termination of his contract with Tianyu Media attracted considerable attention, ultimately resulting in Chen Chusheng paying a hefty penalty.

Online reports claim that Tianyu Media is particularly harsh on its artists, with contracts laden with "unfair terms." Any insubordination could result in artists being "banned." Some even claim that Tianyu Media's work schedules are incredibly tight, seemingly filling them 24/7, leaving them with absolutely no time to rest.

Yu Menglong's rise to fame as Bai Zhen in the 2017 drama "Eternal Love" brought him to the peak of his career. However, in 2018, at the height of his career, he suddenly disappeared for three years. That same year, while still under contract, Yu Menglong suddenly clicked the "unfollow" button on Tianyu Media, a move that led to speculation that he was hinting at a contract termination.

At the time, there were reports that Yu Menglong was banned for refusing the "hidden advantages" of a female investor. A senior mainland publicist revealed that the ban was not a written rule, but rather an unspoken industry practice. It was not that Yu Menglong lacked opportunities during those three years; rather, all those opportunities were snuffed out by an "invisible hand."

Online reports claim that Yu Menglong was under surveillance from the moment he was signed by Tianyu in 2013. He had been targeted by Xin Qi (Xin Xiaoxiong), the company's controller. He used Yu's name to operate two studios, secretly laundering money and engaging in illegal activities.

After Yu Menglong's death, his long-term surveillance and abuse were exposed. Rumors circulated that in order to escape Tianyu's control, he allegedly obtained evidence of a criminal gang's crimes and was ultimately brutally murdered. Those implicated included directors, editors, capital tycoons, producers, actors, singers, agents Du Qiang, and Xin Qi.

Yu Menglong's agent, Du Qiang (also known as Du Yicheng), was also his so-called friend and a graduate of the Beijing Modern Music Academy. Du Qiang was allegedly planted by powerful figures to monitor and control Yu Menglong, acting like a professional thug. Videos and images circulated online show Du Qiang following him closely, monitoring his every move.

Image : Photo from the Internet

Yu Menglong and other celebrities have arms trademarks registered under their names

Yu Menglong's mysterious death exposed the shady practices of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) elites and entertainment industry tycoons using celebrities and singers to launder money and resell arms. Netizen investigations revealed that numerous "Super Boy and Super Girl" contestants had registered hundreds of companies under their names.

Shortly after signing with Tianyu Entertainment, Yu Menglong had 13 categories of arms trademarks registered under his name. A netizen searched Yu Menglong's companies and found a staggering 45 trademarks, including those for scientific instruments, paint, carpet cleaning, transportation vehicles, and even arms and fireworks.

Yu Menglong had two personal studios: Shanghai Qimeng Film and Television Culture Studio, which was deregistered in November 2024; and Dongyang Xianmeng Film and Television Culture Studio, which was deregistered in July 2025.

In addition to Yu Menglong, trademarks related to arms and fireworks have also been registered under the names of artists such as Guo Junchen, Gong Jun, Wang Xinling, Zhao Liying, Huang Xiaoming, and Yi Yang Qianxi.

There are suspicions that these trademark registrations are being orchestrated by management companies or behind-the-scenes teams, who register studios in the names of artists, using them as puppets and bulk-registering shell companies to create a vast money laundering network. These funds can be transferred between companies, ultimately transforming into endorsement fees and investment returns, effectively laundering the proceeds.

Public information shows that Hunan Satellite TV and Mango TV are sister companies, both part of the Hunan Radio and Television Group. Tianyu Media is a subsidiary of Hunan Radio and Television. Mango TV, Mango Interactive Entertainment, Tianyu Media, Mango Film and Television, and Mango Entertainment jointly form "Mango Super Media."

Hunan Radio and Television has close ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and government. Some netizens have pointed out the enormous power behind Tianyu Media, claiming that Tianyu Media, the Mango Group, Hunan Radio and Television, the Provincial Party Committee Propaganda Department, and the Central Propaganda Department form a complete "black chain of state-owned cultural industries" and a vast money laundering network.

Other netizens claim that this group operates a massive money laundering network, potentially involving tens of billions of yuan. This network of connections reveals how the families of powerful Chinese Communist Party members have stolen wealth belonging to all Chinese people and transferred it to overseas tax havens through crimes such as arms smuggling, drug trafficking, the privatization of state-owned enterprises, power rent-seeking, misappropriation of social security funds, and the draining of medical insurance through COVID-19 policies.

Following Yu Menglong's death, supporters expressed their condolences and outrage. Over 600,000 people worldwide have signed a petition demanding justice for him, demanding that the Chinese Communist Party authorities reopen the case and investigate to reveal the truth and hold those responsible accountable. At the same time, many people are calling for society to prioritize the rights of artists and oppose shady practices.

Some people commented that Chinese netizens have become almost Sherlock Holmes-like in their efforts to redress Yu Menglong's injustice. It was discovered that Tianyu is China's largest state-owned entertainment company, and the social security fund is a shareholder. The shady Bulgari Hotel and Qihao Art Museum were also found to be 100% state-owned, with the Beijing Municipal Government fully involved in their investment and construction.

The following is a source for Yu Menglong's supporters: Netizen "glory_4youu" compiled a map of money laundering relationships involving powerful Chinese Communist Party companies controlling the entertainment industry based on websites like Qichacha. The intricate web of relationships is astonishing, like a spider web. The netizen posted a comment stating, "There's no copyright! Feel free to use it."