Wang Shaojun, bodyguard to China’s top leaders, dies of unknown illness, aged 67

There was an unexplained three-month delay in announcing the death of the lieutenant general

Wang was responsible for the security of the country’s senior leaders and was with Xi Jinping during his visit to Hong Kong in 2017

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Wang Shaojun, pictured in the front passenger seat, accompanied Xi Jinping on a visit to Hong Kong in 2017. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 7:30pm, 25 Jul 2023

China has announced the death from an undisclosed illness of the former chief bodyguard to the leadership.

Lieutenant General Wang Shaojun, former head of the Central Security Bureau, died in Beijing on April 26 at the age of 67, state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday.

The report did not specify a reason for the three-month delay in announcing his death.

Wang was appointed the head of the bureau in March 2015, two years into Xi Jinping’s first presidential term.

He replaced Cao Qing, who was transferred to serve as the deputy commander of the Beijing Military Area Command.

The bureau is a mysterious body in charge of the safety of the country’s top leaders and the Zhongnanhai compound where they live in central Beijing.

It reports to the General Office of the Communist Party Central Committee, which provides administrative support to the leadership and is led by Cai Qi, Xi’s current chief of staff.

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