Your current location:HOME >politics >Chinese comedy group punishment sends chills through arts sphere 正文
TIME:2024-05-08 12:36:47 Source: Internet compilationEdit:politics
By Matthew Walsh and Rebecca BaileyChina’s recent punishment of a comedy studio has sent a chi
By Matthew Walsh and Rebecca Bailey
China’s recent punishment of a comedy studio has sent a chill through the country’s cultural sphere — a striking reminder of the increasingly limited public space for artistic expression under President Xi Jinping.
Authorities last week fined Xiaoguo Culture Media millions of dollars and suspended their performances indefinitely after a comic made an oblique joke about the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The penalty “was clearly issued in line with the old Chinese practice of ‘killing a chicken to scare the monkeys'”, said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute.
“Most cultural workers and comedians are likely to act on the deterrence effect,” he added.
The days after the announcement saw a spate of last-minute cancellations of musical and comedy performances nationwide.
Subscribe to HKFP's twice-weekly newsletter for a concise round-up of local news and our best coverage. Unsubscribe at any time - we will not pass on your data to third parties.
Processing… Success! You're on the list. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.In some cases “force majeure” was blamed, but others gave no reason and did not say whether the performances would take place in the future.
Japanese musician Kanho Yakushiji, whose Buddhist choral group’s shows in Hangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing were nixed, said on Instagram he didn’t understand the cancellations.
A staff member at a venue in the southern city of Shantou said a rock show had been postponed while “a new application was made for (official) approval” but that they did not know the exact reason why.
Multiple performers contacted by AFP would not comment on the current climate, fearing it would worsen the backlash.
Stand-up may be particularly risky as it is a relatively new form of comedy in China and “it is difficult to know the appropriate boundaries”, SOAS’ Xiaoning Lu told AFP.
It is also seen by some nationalists as a Western import undermining Chinese “cultural confidence”, she said.
The Communist Party has historically kept a tight rein on the arts — coopting them for political propaganda and quashing anything verging on dissent.
Leader Mao Zedong once said there was “no such thing as… art that is detached from or independent of politics”.
“Censorship and self-censorship have always been present, although the intensity may vary from time to time,” said Hong Kong Baptist University’s Sheng Zou.
In recent years the government has published new “moral guidelines” demanding that performers embody positivity and patriotism.
It has also taken aim at “abnormal aesthetics” in media, including “sissy men” — a pejorative term for men with an effeminate look.
Xi last week wrote to staff at the National Art Museum of China, urging them to “adhere to the correct political orientation”, according to state media.
Announcing the comedy studio’s fine, authorities said they hoped “all literary and artistic workers (would) comply with laws and regulations, correct their creative thinking, (and) strengthen moral cultivation”.
“The boundaries of appropriate laughter have always been elastic in China, contingent upon political climate,” said SOAS’ Lu.
With the Xiaoguo incident, a new red line has been set, said Oxford’s Shue.
“The military establishment is to be regarded as ‘sacred’ — there is to be no public laughter whatsoever, even tangentially, at the expense of the PLA,” she explained.
The new boundaries are an extension of the muscular, hardline nationalism Xi has personally promoted since coming to power.
He has frequently used the slogan referenced in Li’s joke, and extolled the strength of the armed forces in domestic information campaigns.
That fierce nationalism has trickled down — Li was investigated after a complaint from a member of the public, authorities said.
His transgression was the topic of heated discussion, with hundreds of millions of hits on social media platform Weibo.
The widespread attention had created “mounting pressure… demanding serious treatment”, said Zou.
Many online comments supported Li’s punishment, although Weibo is heavily censored.
“In China, anything that involves insults to national dignity and pride is no trivial matter,” Baptist University’s Zou said.
“It is where the state’s interest and public opinion most likely converge.”
Africa seeks to make climate needs known on global stage2024-05-08 12:35
Chinese Vice Premier Stresses Need to Ensure Smooth Transition of COVID2024-05-08 12:23
Xi Says China Ready to Advance Relations with Australia Based on Mutual Respect, Win2024-05-08 12:00
Xi Signs Order to Promulgate Regulations on Honors for Servicemen2024-05-08 11:52
Xi Focus: Xi Addresses Opening Ceremony of High2024-05-08 11:52
Country plays leading role in intl patent application2024-05-08 11:45
China's gigantic telescope provides nearly 900 observation hours to foreign researchers2024-05-08 11:32
Xi Story: Ensuring a Better Life for the People2024-05-08 10:50
Huitengxile Grassland appeared green and lush with wind turbines towering high2024-05-08 10:41
Chinese Leaders Extend Spring Festival Greetings to Veteran Comrades2024-05-08 10:40
Xi's Love for the Yellow River2024-05-08 11:59
Xi, Benin President Exchange Congratulations on 50th Anniversary of Resumption of Diplomatic Ties2024-05-08 11:39
Philippine President to Visit China2024-05-08 11:31
Xi Congratulates Cyril Ramaphosa on Re2024-05-08 11:19
Xi Meets United Russia Party Chairman Medvedev2024-05-08 11:14
Xi Story: A Chinese New Year Tradition2024-05-08 11:07
Chinese Vice Premier Stresses Need to Ensure Smooth Transition of COVID2024-05-08 10:34
Xi Stresses Systematic Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage2024-05-08 10:33
Xi Congratulates Cyril Ramaphosa on Re2024-05-08 10:14
Xi Congratulates Lula on Inauguration as Brazilian President2024-05-08 09:56