China investigates comedian - WBBH
Prominent Chinese comedian Guo Degang is under investigation after altering the lyrics of a revolutionary song during a performance. Several of his upcoming shows have been canceled, highlighting the strict and often opaque censorship environment for artists in China.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the tightening control over cultural expression in China, where performers face significant risks for minor deviations from state-approved content.
One of China's best-known comedians is under investigation and several of his shows have been canceled after he changed the lyrics of a revolutionary song during a performance. Guo Degang, the country's most prominent performer of traditional xiangsheng, a form of Chinese comedic dialogue, is under investigation by local authorities in the city of Wuhan in central China, local media reported. Guo's show on Friday in the northwestern city of Xi'an was canceled due to "venue issues," a statement on ticketing platform Damai released by his promotion company showed. Video above: Trump concludes China summit with claims of progress on Iran, trade, U.S.-China relations The company offered refunds for tickets as well as travel and hotel expenses. The exhibition center hosting the performance in Xi'an, which also cited "venue issues" on Wednesday, said the show had been "postponed," without giving a new date.
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