Chinese President Xi Jimping is no longer obsessed with merely banning an comparisons between himself and Winnie the Pooh. The Chinese government has now unexpectedlybanned effeminate men on TV and told broadcasters Thursday to promote “revolutionary culture,” broadening a campaign to tighten control over business and society and enforce official morality.
President Xi Jinping has called for a “national rejuvenation,” with tighter Communist Party control of business, education, culture and religion. Companies and the public are under increasing pressure to align with its vision for a more powerful China and healthier society. Weirdly enough, part of the overall effort is to try and discourage what it sees as unhealthy attention to celebrities.
Broadcasters must “resolutely put an end to sissy men and other abnormal esthetics,” the National Radio and TV Administration said, using an insulting slang term for effeminate men — “niang pao,” or literally, “girlie guns.” This seems like a strangely homophobic obsession that Chinese pop stars, influenced by the sleek, fashionable look of some South Korean and Japanese singers and actors, are failing to encourage China’s young men to be masculine enough.
The party also is also tightening control over celebrities, advising broadcasters that they should avoid promoting “vulgar internet celebrities” and admiration of wealth and celebrity, the regulator said. Instead, programs should “vigorously promote excellent Chinese traditional culture, revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture.” The new guidance also specifically bans programs about the children of celebrities.
Microblog platform Weibo Corp. suspended thousands of accounts for fan clubs and entertainment news. The government went so far as to wipe the name of a hugely popular Chinese actress, Zhao Wei, from streaming platforms without explanation. Her name has also been removed from the credits of movies and TV programs.
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