This year has been marked by considerable loss, not least in the culture universe where many bright stars dimmed their light. With 2020 coming to an end, we look back at some of the celebrities who China lost this year but whose influence will continue well after we bid them farewell.

Zhao Zhongxiang, TV host

Chinese news anchor, television host and reporter Zhao Zhongxiang passed away on January 16 at the age of 78.

Zhao joined public broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) in 1960, becoming the first male television presenter in the country.

He was the first domestic reporter to accompany Deng Xiaoping during his trip to the U.S. in 1979 and visited the White House while there. Zhao hosted over 10 editions of the Spring Festival Gala, arguably the world's most watched television program aired on the eve of the Chinese New Year, commanding the stage with his calm demeanor.

A wildlife enthusiast, Zhao also hosted many nature-focused shows like "Animal World" and "Human and Nature," raising environmental awareness in the country, including the need to protect endangered animals.

Yu Lan, actor

Chinese actress Yu Lan, formerly known as Yu Peiwen, died on June 28 in Beijing at the age of 99. 

Yu is best remembered for her role as Jiang Zhujun, also known as "Sister Jiang," in the 1965 film "Living Forever in Burning Flames," portraying the underground member of the Communist Party of China who devoted herself to the liberation of New China. Yu excelled in the role so much so that many Chinese now conjure Yu's face when mentioning Sister Jiang. 

Yu won Best Actress at the Moscow International Film Festival in 1961 and the Chinese Golden Rooster Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2009. She was also one of the "22 Film Stars of New China" in the 1960s.

Xie Yuan, actor and comedian

Chinese actor Xie Yuan, who was celebrated as one of "The Three Musketeers of Comedy" in China, died on August 18 aged 61.

Xie graduated from Beijing Film Academy and made his debut in the film "Ma Qiang a New Soldier" in 1981. He played a village teacher in the film "King of the Children," which competed for the Palme d'Or at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival. 

Other works of his include TV plays "The Perfect Couple" and "Honey Bee Man."

Li Jianqun, actor and fashion designer

Chinese actor and fashion designer Li Jianqun died on July 16 at the age of 63.

Li famously played the role of imperial consort Wu Hui in the TV series "Tang Ming Huang." On the filming set, she also served as a costume designer, pocketing an award for her designs at the 13th Flying Apsaras Award in 1992.

In 2001, she played the imperial consort Rong in the historical TV series "Kangxi Dynasty" and served as the chief costume designer of the play.

Chen Axi, voice actor

Voice actor Chen Axi died at the age of 79 on August 27.

In 1984, she became an actor with the China TV Drama Production Center of CCTV. During the 1980s, Chen participated in the dubbing of a large number of films and television dramas and is best known for her work in the 1986 version of "Journey to the West."

Liu Zhen, dancer

Chinese dancer Serena Liu, also known as Liu Zhen, passed away on March 22 at the age of 44. She hailed from China's Taiwan region, and was known as the island's queen of ballroom dancing.

Liu was a regular judge on the dance competition program "Just Dance."

Huang Hongsheng, singer and actor

Chinese singer-actor Huang Hongsheng, nicknamed "Xiao Gui," died on September 16. He was 36.

Huang is best known for co-hosting Taiwan's long-running TV variety show "100% Entertainment" with popular singer Show Lo (Luo Zhixiang).

(Cover photo designed by Fan Chenxiao)