China celebrities Zheng Shuang, Kris Wu Yifan and Zhang Zhehan included on blacklist released by performing arts body
- Wu was detained on rape allegations, Zheng caught up in a surrogacy and tax evasion scandals, and actor Zhang listed after posing at a sensitive shrine
- It is the ninth such list released by the association since it started a ‘blacklist management system’ in 2018
The list included 85 livestreamers and three celebrities who have faced a series of punishments in recent months, including Zheng Shuang, Kris Wu Yifan and Zhang Zhehan.
In recent months, Chinese-Canadian pop star Wu was detained over rape allegations, actress Zheng was caught up in a surrogacy scandal and given a hefty fine for tax evasion, and actor Zhang caused controversy with photos of him posing at the historically sensitive Yasukuni Shrine in Japan.
People on the list should not enjoy any live-streaming services provided by internet platforms including Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, and other agencies, the notice said. This is the ninth list released by the association since it started a “blacklist management system” in 2018.
In an interview with Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily, an association spokesperson said a total of 446 livestreamers have been blacklisted in the past two years. This list included celebrities because more are opening up live-streaming accounts or selling products online.
“As the entertainment industry developed, new issues rose, including ‘internet traffic first’, deformed aesthetics, and problems with ‘fandom culture’,” the spokesperson said. They said some art performers have a low legal awareness and morals, and some of their words and actions could have a negative influence on society, especially young people.
Other problems with livestreamers included pornography and vulgarity, inciting conflict among fans and earning clicks in vulgar ways, the spokesperson said.
This new notice echoed previous regulations by Chinese authorities in recent months, putting tighter scrutiny on China’s entertainers because of their influence as role models in society.
In February this year, the association released a list of moral guidelines for Chinese performers, including that they must abide by laws and regulations, respect their competitors and abide by contracts. The association said those who fail to comply could face a permanent ban from their professions.
In September, China’s top media regulator, the National Radio and Television Administration, said in a new eight-point plan a boycott of what it called “sissy idols” and “vulgar celebrities”, as well as more emphasis on “traditional Chinese culture, revolution culture, socialist culture”.
Beijing’s culture authority has also ordered China’s entertainment industry to guarantee underage performers finish compulsory education and banned minors from participating in activities that support their idols amid an ongoing crackdown on celebrities and the country’s unruly fandom culture.