Hong Kong, 18 May 2023 (GNP): During a recent comedy show at the Century Theater in Beijing, a renowned Chinese stand-up comedian Li Haoshi, known by his stage name House, found himself at the center of a controversy after making a joke about Army.
The joke loosely referenced a slogan associated with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The ensuing backlash from his joke highlights the difficulties comedians encounter in China’s social environment, which is becoming more constrictive and frequently controlled.
Authorities reacted quickly after the performance, forcing Li to postpone his planned performances.
Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media, the entertainment company representing Li, also issued a formal apology.
Yet on Wednesday, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism levied hefty fines totaling $1.91 million against a subsidiary of Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media.
Additionally, the subsidiary was deprived of $189,000 in “illegal gains”; these are probably earnings from Li’s two live performances over the weekend.
Moreover, the company has been permanently barred from hosting performances in the capital.
The Beijing police have opened an inquiry into Li claiming that his performance “seriously insulted” the military and caused a “bad social impact.”
Last year, a former investigative journalist faced a seven-month prison sentence for questioning China’s role in the Korean War, as depicted in a patriotic movie.
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The repercussions of Li’s comedy act have even extended to social media platforms.
Shi, a local resident of Dalian, was arrested by authorities after using a dog emoji to mock Chinese soldiers in a Weibo comment that questioned the grounds for Li’s suspension. Her account was terminated and the post was removed.
Authorities showed their commitment to upholding the dignity of military members, declaring that “No blasphemy will be allowed for the military personnel’s dignity”.
What was the Joke?
Some people considered Li’s joke about Army inoffensive.
He presented a skit about adopting stray dogs in Shanghai and mentioned how their pursuit of a squirrel reminded him of a well-known Chinese Communist Party catchphrase that refers to the PLA: “Fine style of work, capable of winning battles”.
This statement was originally used by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 and has since been used on several official occasions and in state media.
While announcing the punishment, Beijing officials came to the conclusion in their statement that Li’s performance constituted “a plot amounting to a serious insult to the People’s Liberation Army and causing a bad social influence.”
“We will never allow any company or individual to wantonly slander the glorious image of the People’s Liberation Army on a stage in the [Chinese] capital, never allow the people’s deep feelings for the soldiers to be hurt, and never allow serious subjects to be turned into an entertainment,” said the statement.
