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Why Justin Bieber is banned from performing in China

Beijing’s culture bureau explains that the Canadian popstar was barred because of his previous ‘bad behaviour’ which ‘caused public dissatisfaction’

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Justin Bieber is a gifted but “controversial young foreign singer”, according to Beijing’s culture bureau. Photo: AFP
Sarah Zhengin Beijing

Unlike a lot of young music fans, the Chinese government is not a Belieber.

Authorities doubled down this week on their decision to bar Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber from performing in mainland China due to his previous “bad behaviour”.

The multimillion-dollar entertainer will be skipping mainland China during his Purpose World Tour later this year, which has been described as a “world apology tour” for his past actions.

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But despite his theme, Beijing’s culture bureau released a statement on their website on Tuesday saying: “Justin Bieber is a gifted singer, but he is also a controversial young foreign singer.”

It said the star’s previous bad behaviour in his social life and within China had “caused public dissatisfaction”, noting the need to regulate and “purify” its domestic entertainment scene.

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