China slapped a $2.13 million penalty on Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media Co for a joke on its military. Here’s everything you need to know.
China fines Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media
On Wednesday, the Beijing arm of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Bureau revealed it will slap a 13.35 million yuan fine on Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media Co. It added that it will be confiscating 1.35 million yuan of “illegal gains” after a recent show breached rules. The incident is diving people into what jokes are inappropriate as stand-up comedy increases in popularity. Additionally, it highlights the limits of appropriateness in China as authorities force the promotion of core socialist values.
Li Haoshi, also known as House went viral after an audience member posted a description of a joke on social media calling it demeaning to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In the joke, Li recounts seeing two of his adopted stray dogs chasing a squirrel. He then says it reminds him of President Jinping’s 20136 statement “Have a good work style, be able to fight and win battles,” praising PLA’s work. “We will never allow any company or individual to use the Chinese capital as a stage to wantonly slander the glorious image of the PLA,” stated the cultural bureau. Additionally, it added that Xiaoguo Culture is banned from staging shows in Beijing.
More on the incident
As a response to the hefty fine, Xiaoguo Culture blamed the incident on “major loopholes in management”. Additionally, it terminated the contract with Li. Founded in 2015 in Shanghai, the media company grew in polarity as China began embracing stand-up comedy. Xiaoguo Culture is also known for raising several local comedians. It revealed that its artists have faced the authorities over their jokes before. In July 2021, the firm received fines worth 200,000 yuan for publishing adverts featuring a comedian. The comedian in question was endorsing a lingerie brand with remarks said to objectify women.
