Zhang Xuefeng Death Sparks Rare Public Grief in China Over Education System

Zhang Xuefeng collapsed and died while running in Suzhou, eastern China, in March 2026. The self-made education consultant had built a massive following of 60 million people by helping students and parents navigate China's brutal college entrance exam system.

Zhang had no formal teaching credentials but became famous for giving practical advice about the gaokao, China's make-or-break university entrance test. He helped families choose the right schools and majors to improve their chances of success.

The massive public mourning that followed his death was unusual in China, where the government typically controls public expressions of grief. State media even published obituaries for Zhang, despite him facing punishment from authorities just months before his death.

In 2024, Zhang said he wanted to be remembered as "the memory of a generation of Chinese" who could help students get "a good degree, a good job, and a good life." His death highlighted how desperately Chinese families need guidance in an education system known for its intense pressure and limited opportunities.

The public response was seen as a quiet rebellion against China's unforgiving academic culture, where students face enormous stress and families sacrifice everything for educational success.