A wave of cancellations has swept across China, affecting various cultural events including a Japanese choral band's tour, stand-up comedy shows, and jazz performances. In a span of just a few days, more than a dozen shows were abruptly called off, often with little explanation provided.
The crackdown began with the authorities in Beijing imposing a hefty fine of around $2 million on a Chinese comedy studio. The fine came after one of the studio's stand-up performers was accused of making a joke that allegedly insulted the Chinese military. Additionally, a woman who defended the comedian online was detained by the police in northern China.
These penalties and subsequent cancellations highlight the escalating scrutiny faced by China's heavily censored creative industry. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has prioritized arts and culture as targets for ideological crackdowns, demanding that artists align their work with the goals of the Chinese Communist Party and promote a nationalist Chinese identity. Scripts and set lists must undergo vetting, and publications face close monitoring.
Xi's emphasis on the arts is part of a broader concern for national security and the elimination of perceived harmful foreign influence. Recent weeks have seen raids on the offices of Western consulting companies in China, accompanied by an expansion of behaviors covered under counterespionage laws.
Many of the canceled events were slated to feature foreign performers or speakers. Beijing's focus on cultural control is seen as a response to heightened anxiety about maintaining power, particularly as relations with the West deteriorate.
Under Xi's leadership, the party's regulation of the arts has intensified. In 2021, a state-backed performing arts association released morality guidelines for artists, emphasizing patriotism. Last year, the government banned the appearance of "sissy men" on television, accusing them of weakening the nation.
Stand-up comedy, which has gained popularity in China, has also drawn attention from officials. Comedians have faced fines and restrictions for making jokes about sensitive topics such as the coronavirus lockdown. The recent crackdown was triggered by an anonymous social media user's complaint about a stand-up performance that allegedly compared soldiers to wild dogs.
The repercussions extended beyond comedy to encompass scheduled musical performances, including rock, folk, jazz, and rap shows. Foreign and domestic artists alike have felt the impact, with shows being indefinitely suspended or canceled altogether.
Organizers often cited "force majeure" as the reason for cancellations, a term commonly used to indicate government pressure in China. The intensification of control over entertainment, speech, and creative expression reflects the regime's aim to maintain its grip on power.