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As China Ramps Up Scrutiny of Culture, the Show Does Not Go On

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Summary

China is increasing its scrutiny of culture and art. In the last week, performances across the country have been canceled after Beijing began investigating a stand-up comedian for making a joke about the military. This is part of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's efforts to increase control and promote a nationalist vision of Chinese identity. The cancellations included performances by foreign performers or speakers, and the authorities have also taken notice of stand-up comedy, which has been gaining popularity. The crackdown began after an anonymous social media user complained about one of the comedian's jokes. In addition to the cancellations, the authorities have fined the comedy studio and suspended their performances in Beijing and Shanghai. The performer was also fired and is being investigated. Despite the cancellations, some foreign musicians have been able to perform in other cities or at other venues.

Q&As

What recent event in China has led to greater scrutiny of the country's creative landscape?
The recent investigation of a stand-up comedian and the subsequent fines and cancellations of performances across the country have led to greater scrutiny of China's creative landscape.

What type of creative work was targeted during the Cultural Revolution?
Creative work deemed insufficiently "revolutionary" was targeted during the Cultural Revolution.

What punishments have been issued for making jokes about the Chinese government or military?
The government has fined comedians for making jokes about the Chinese government or military, and the police have detained people who have defended the comedian online.

How has the Chinese government sought to control people's speech and entertainment?
The Chinese government has sought to control people's speech and entertainment by demanding that artists align their creative ambitions with Chinese Communist Party goals and promote a nationalist vision of Chinese identity, submitting scripts or set lists for vetting, and closely monitoring publications.

What has been the overall impact of increased government control of the arts in China?
The overall impact of increased government control of the arts in China has been increased fear and risk-aversion, as well as a decrease in freedom of expression.

AI Comments

👍 This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Chinese government's increasing scrutiny over culture, and the effects it has had on performances and artists in the country.

👎 The Chinese government's increasingly oppressive control over culture has resulted in the cancellation of numerous performances that had nothing to do with the incident that sparked the crackdown.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about China ramping up scrutiny of culture and how it's impacting performances across the country. They've recently fined a stand-up comedian for making a joke about the Chinese military and have been cracking down on other performances with foreign performers or speakers. It's all part of Xi Jinping's increased control over arts and culture in China.

Friend: Wow, that's really concerning. It's scary to think that an artist can be punished for making jokes or expressing themselves in any way.

Me: Absolutely. It speaks to the larger trend of increased control over the creative landscape in China. It's definitely something that we should be paying attention to. It's also a reminder of the power of the Chinese government and how it can easily silence any dissent or criticism.

Action items

Research the current regulations and restrictions on the creative landscape in China.
Reach out to Chinese artists and performers to learn more about their experiences with censorship.
Follow the news and social media accounts of Chinese stand-up comedians and other performers to stay up to date on the latest developments in the creative landscape in China.

Technical terms

Scrutiny: Close examination or observation.
Stand-up comedian: A performer who tells jokes and humorous stories.
Vetted: To examine or evaluate something carefully.
Censored: To remove or suppress any parts of a work that are considered offensive, immoral, or politically unacceptable.
Ideological: Relating to a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.
Nationalist: Believing in or promoting the interests of one's own nation.
Malign: To have a harmful or evil influence on something.
Counterespionage: The practice of trying to prevent or detect espionage.
Transliteration: The process of representing the sounds of one language in the characters of another language.
Barbs: A sharp or cutting remark.
Patriotism: Love for and devotion to one's country.
Sissy: A person who is considered weak or cowardly.
Force Majeure: An event or effect that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled.
Risk-averse: Averse to taking risks.