Beijing (AP) – China’s government has banned effeminate men on TV and told broadcasters to promote “revolutionary culture,” broadening a campaign to tighten control over business and society and enforce official morality.
A “national rejuvenation” has been called for by President Xi Jinping, tightening the Communist Party’s control of the business, education, culture, and religion. The pressure is increasing for China’s vision of a healthier society.
The party has reduced access to online games and discourages children on unhealthy attention to celebrities.
Broadcasters must “resolutely put an end to sissy men and other abnormal esthetics,” the TV regulator said, using an insulting slang term for effeminate men — “Niang pao,” or literally, “girlie guns.”
The official concern is Chinese pop stars, influenced by the sleek, girlish look of some South Korean and Japanese singers and actors, fail at encouraging China’s young men to be masculine enough.
Broadcasters should avoid promoting “vulgar internet celebrities” while avoiding wealth and celebrity admiration, stated the regulator. Instead, programs should “vigorously promote excellent Chinese traditional culture, revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture.”
Xi’s government regulates Chinese internet industries.
It has launched anti-monopoly, data security, and other enforcement actions at companies including games and social media provider Tencent Holding and e-commerce giant Alibaba Group. The ruling party worries they are too big and independent.
As of Wednesday, anyone under 18 is limited to three hours per week to play online games while prohibited on school days.
New titles are already supplied to the government for approval before the game developers can release them. Officials have encouraged to add nationalistic themes to be added.
The party control over celebrities is tightening.
The regulator said that broadcasters should avoid performers who “violate public order” or have “lost morality,” the regulator said. At the same time, banning programs about the children of celebrities.
On Saturday, the microblog platform Weibo Corp. suspended thousands of accounts for fan clubs and entertainment news.
A popular actress, Zhao Wei, has disappeared from streaming platforms without explanation. Her name has been removed from credits of movies and TV programs.
Thursday’s order told broadcasters to limit pay for performers and avoid contract terms that might help them evade taxes.
Another actress, Zheng Shuang, was fined 299 million yuan ($46 million) last week on tax evasion charges to warn celebrities to be positive role models.