China’s Pioneer of ‘Living Wills’ Dies at 74
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Luo Diandian, a pioneering advocate for living wills in China and the daughter of founding People’s Republic of China general Luo Ruiqing, died of illness in Beijing on Tuesday. She was 74.
Born Luo Yuping in 1951, she had a varied career as a farmer, soldier, doctor and media professional before becoming a writer and screenwriter. She is best known for her work promoting the concept of “death with dignity,” co-founding the Beijing Living Will Promotion Association in 2013 and writing for publications including Caixin.
Her campaign challenged deep-seated cultural taboos surrounding death in China, a mission deeply rooted in her experience witnessing the painful medical treatment her father received at the end of his life.
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- Luo Diandian, advocate for living wills in China and daughter of General Luo Ruiqing, died at 74 in Beijing.
- She co-founded the Beijing Living Will Promotion Association in 2013, launched a living will template, and promoted "death with dignity."
- Luo's activism and writing confronted cultural taboos about death, influenced palliative care development, and reflected on China's historical legacy.
- 1951：
- Luo Diandian (born Luo Yuping) was born.
- 2006：
- Luo's advocacy began with the launch of the 'Choice and Dignity' website.
- 2011：
- Luo introduced a living will template for China called 'my five wishes.'
- 2013：
- Luo co-founded the Beijing Living Will Promotion Association.
- 2016：
- Luo wrote that 2016 was the 'inaugural year' for modern palliative care in China as new policies were released and pilot programs were launched.
- By November 18, 2025：
- Luo spurred widespread discussion in China with her book, 'Who Decides My Death.'
- November 18, 2025：
- Luo Diandian died of illness in Beijing at age 74.
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