Chinese Music Icon and UIBE Professor Liu Huan Dies at 63 in Shanghai
Renowned Chinese musician and University of International Business and Economics professor Liu Huan died in Shanghai on September 25, 2026, at age 63. UIBE and the Mango V Fund announced his passing on September 26. Known for hits including the 2008 Beijing Olympics theme "You and Me," Liu taught Western music history at UIBE for over three decades. He established a 20 million yuan fund to support young songwriters. Per his wishes, no funeral or memorial service will be held.
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Chinese Musician Liu Huan Dies at 63; Remembered as Teacher and Iconic Singer
Liu Huan, the renowned Chinese musician and longtime professor at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), died in Shanghai on September 25 at age 63, according to a university obituary. The obituary first identified him as a 'retired teacher' before mentioning his fame as a musician, reflecting his lifelong dedication to teaching. Liu taught Western music history at UIBE for over 30 years, known for his rigorous, chalkboard-based lectures and refusal to sing in class. Former university presidents Sun Weiyan and Chen Zhunmin praised his teaching dedication and lack of celebrity airs. Liu's hits include 'Good Song,' 'The Moon is Bent,' and the 2008 Beijing Olympics theme 'You and Me.' He also composed music for the TV series 'Empresses in the Palace.' In 2019, he donated 20 million yuan to establish the Liu Huan Original Music Public Welfare Fund, which has supported seven young musicians. The fund will continue operating per his wishes. His final public performance was on New Year's Eve 2025 in Shanghai.
Read sourceChinese Music Icon Liu Huan Dies at 63, Leaving Legacy of Classic Songs and Teaching
Liu Huan, a towering figure in Chinese popular music, died on September 25, 2026, at age 63 in Shanghai, according to a September 26 announcement from the University of International Business and Economics, where he taught. Known for iconic songs like 'Good Han Song' and 'You and Me' (the 2008 Beijing Olympics theme), Liu Huan was a self-taught musician and professor of Western music history for over three decades. Colleagues and peers, including singer Han Hong and Wei Wei, paid tribute. Music critic Feng Shi noted Liu Huan uniquely blended Western influences with mainstream Chinese pop, a path no other artist replicated. Liu Huan, who called himself an 'amateur singer,' prioritized musical integrity over fame, famously stating, 'In my heart, there is only song, no king.' He also founded a 20 million yuan fund to support young songwriters. His final public performance was on December 31, 2025, at Bilibili's New Year's Eve gala.
Read sourceRenowned Chinese musician Liu Huan dies at 63, UIBE announces
According to an obituary published by the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) on September 26, 2026, renowned Chinese musician and retired UIBE professor Liu Huan died of illness in Shanghai on September 25, 2026, at 9:52 a.m. He was 63 years old. Liu Huan, born in Tianjin in August 1963, joined UIBE in 1991 as an art teacher and associate professor, retiring in September 2023. He was widely known across China as a singer and composer, and at UIBE he taught the popular course 'History of Western Music' and composed the school anthem 'UIBE Song.' The university stated that his death is a major loss to both the institution and the Chinese music industry. Per his last wishes, no funeral or memorial service will be held.
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University of International Business and Economics Announces Death of Renowned Musician Liu Huan at 63
On September 26, 2026, the Chinese financial news outlet 财联社 (cls) reported that the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) in Beijing issued an obituary announcing the death of Liu Huan, a renowned musician and retired teacher at the university. According to the obituary, Liu Huan passed away at 9:52 AM on September 25, 2026, in Shanghai due to illness at the age of 63. Liu Huan was widely known across China as a household name in music, celebrated for his contributions as a singer and composer. The report attributes the information directly to the official announcement from UIBE, providing a specific date, time, location, and cause of death.
Read sourceChinese Musician Liu Huan Dies at 63, Leaving Legacy in Music and Education
Liu Huan, a renowned Chinese musician, singer, and educator, died on September 25, 2026, at 9:52 AM in Shanghai, surrounded by family, at the age of 63. The announcement was made on September 26 by the Mango V Fund, which co-manages the 'Liu Huan Original Music Public Welfare Fund' he established in 2019. Liu Huan, who studied French literature at Beijing International Studies University, rose to fame after winning university song competitions in 1985. He was a professor at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), teaching Western Classical Music History for three decades. He also created and mentored the original music reality show 'Sing My Song' in 2014. The obituaries, published by the Mango V Fund and UIBE, praised his contributions to Chinese original pop music and his dedication to education. The fund will continue his mission of supporting original Chinese music.
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