Renowned TV host Jing Yidan dies at 71

Veteran Chinese TV host and writer Jing Yidan passed away on Sept 13, according to an obituary released by her daughter, Wang Erqing. Jing suffered an acute cerebral hemorrhage in June 2026 in her hometown of Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, and was later transferred to Beijing for in-patient treatment, where she passed away.

Public records show that Jing was born in Harbin, Heilongjiang in 1955. She graduated from the Beijing Broadcasting Institute, now known as the Communication University of China.

After joining China Central Television (CCTV) in 1988, Jing Yidan served as a reporter, editor and host. She hosted a succession of flagship news programs, including Economy Half Hour, Focus Report, Oriental Horizon and News Probe, as well as highly influential programs such as Touching China.

In 1993, Jing Yidan joined Focus Report which is known for its watchdog journalism. She remained with the program for a full 20 years. Beginning in 2002, she hosted the Touching China Person of the Year award ceremony for 19 consecutive years.

With a gentle yet firm voice, she conveyed warmth and positive energy to the world, becoming a television memory for generations of viewers.