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Chinese officials in Zhejiang province have advised stand-up comedians to avoid jokes that could exacerbate gender tensions, according to a notice issued by the local propaganda bureau.
### Why It Matters
Stand-up comedy gained popularity in China over a decade ago and has since moved from small venues into national media. Shows like “Rock & Roast” have been popular among audiences.
Comedians often address social issues, but those who touch on sensitive topics such as gender relations face scrutiny and censorship from the Chinese Communist Party. The party has recently tightened regulations to maintain social harmony.
### What to Know
Zhejiang’s propaganda bureau issued a notice advising comedians to avoid jokes that “intensify gender antagonism.” The notice stated:
– While it is normal for stand-up comedy to express different perspectives, including those on men and women, the focus should not be on deriding the opposite sex.
– Jokes implying all men are unreliable or belittling women’s abilities are inaccurate and can reinforce harmful stereotypes.
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### Example
A picture from a performance by comedian Qiqi in Beijing shows her delivering a comedic routine at a shopping mall. The notice continued, explaining that comedians should promote social responsibility and self-regulate to produce high-quality works.
### Notable Cases
– **Fan Chunli (Fangzhuren):** A female comedian who gained popularity after revealing how she left an allegedly abusive marriage on the iQiyi platform.
– **Yang Li:** Another comedian faced backlash for a joke about men looking ordinary yet confident, leading her sponsor JD.com to drop her.
### Cautionary Lessons
Comedians must be careful. In 2023, stand-up comedian Li Haoshi was investigated after a joke about his dogs using a military slogan was deemed “severely insulting” to the People’s Liberation Army. His company faced fines and he issued a public apology, but the incident continues to affect China’s emerging stand-up comedy scene.
### Public Opinion
– **Teng Wu:** A director at South China Normal University noted that the history of stand-up in China reveals risks for popular culture.
– **Weibo Users:** Some users on the Chinese microblogging platform Weibo expressed varied opinions, including concern about excessive feminism and fear over factual opinions being attacked.
### Conclusion
The notice aims to guide comedians toward responsible content while maintaining social harmony.
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
According to the notice issued by Zhejiang's propaganda bureau, what type of jokes are stand-up comedians advised to avoid?
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