Obituary: Outspoken China Economist Gao Shanwen Dies at 55

Gao Shanwen, an influential former chief economist at SDIC Securities Co. Ltd. and one of China’s best-known institutional economists, died of T-cell lymphoma on July 7. He was 55.

Gao was known for rigorous economic modeling and unusually candid commentary on China’s macroeconomic challenges. His views won him influence across financial markets and academic circles, while at times drawing regulatory attention before he left the brokerage industry in November 2025.