Zhang Xuefeng Rumored to Have Suffered Cardiac Arrest, Assistant Responds

Viral Rumors About China's Most Controversial Education Advisor

Rumors have been circulating on Chinese social media that Zhang Xuefeng, China's most influential and controversial education advisor known for his blunt career guidance, suffered cardiac arrest and is undergoing emergency treatment.

The rumors spread rapidly across Weibo and Toutiao, with related topics amassing tens of millions of engagement points. Zhang Xuefeng's assistant has since responded to the rumors, though details of the response are still emerging.

Who is Zhang Xuefeng?

Zhang Xuefeng is a former education company executive who became a social media sensation for his provocative and often controversial advice to Chinese students and parents about college majors, career choices, and education strategy. His direct, no-nonsense approach — often telling students to avoid certain fields regardless of personal passion — has earned him both fierce loyalty and sharp criticism.

He is particularly known for discouraging students from pursuing degrees in journalism, liberal arts, and certain science fields, arguing instead for practical, employment-oriented choices. His advice has been credited with (and blamed for) significant shifts in Chinese university enrollment patterns.

Impact

The situation highlights the intense public interest in Zhang Xuefeng's well-being given his outsized influence on Chinese education decisions. Millions of families have relied on his guidance when making education choices, and any health-related news about him immediately becomes a trending topic.

The trending topic on Toutiao reached over 39 million engagement index, making it one of the most-discussed topics of the day in China.