China’s most famous comedian under investigation for joke about communist song

Hong Kong (CNN) — A stand-up comedian, considered one of China’s most influential cultural figures, has been placed under investigation and had performances cancelled after he joked about a communist party song.

Guo Degang, China’s best-known comic, was accused of violating public morals after he improvised his own lyrics to a famous Chinese revolutionary song during a performance in Wuhan at the end of July.

He was reported to the city’s Culture and Tourism Bureau by a complainant who said he had “not only distorted and vulgarized a classic revolutionary work, but also violated public morals and accepted standards of conduct,” according to a screenshot of the letter published by state-affiliated media thePaper.

Guo’s trouble underscores the delicate line comedians must tread in highly censored China, especially as its ruling communist party steps up its ideological drive.

The song in question, “Playing my beloved pipa,” is said to capture the resilient spirit of communist guerrilla forces fighting the Japanese during the Sino-Japanese war. It was featured in a famous 1950s Chinese movie called Railroad Guerrillas, and in 2019 was one of 100 songs chosen to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The original lyrics are: “The sun is about to set in the west; all is quiet on Weishan lake.” But Guo adapted the second part to instead say “all is quiet in the Forbidden City,” and performed the song in a comedic style.

The mention of the Forbidden City –– the sprawling palace complex in the heart of Beijing that served as the seat of power for China’s imperial rulers for hundreds of years –– could be politically sensitive in China because of its close historical association with whoever is in power.

The Wuhan Culture and Tourism bureau said, “the adapted portion performed by Guo Degang was not included in the materials submitted for prior approval and is suspected of violating the Regulations on the Administration of Commercial Performances,” reported thePaper.

The bureau confirmed to CNN that its investigation into Guo was ongoing, adding that they do not know when the results will be announced.

CNN has reached out to Guo for comment.

Guo had been on a nationwide tour to celebrate his theatre group’s 10th anniversary, but CNN has learned that some of his later performances have been cancelled.

“There is no date or plan for a possible return. Ticket holders will be refunded automatically,” said a worker from Xi’an Chanba Poly Grand Theater, where Guo was scheduled to perform this week.

Guo is credited with reviving a type of traditional Chinese comedy called crosstalk and is a household name in China. Along with several renowned Peking opera artists, he founded the Qilin theatre company to help promote lesser-known traditional Chinese art forms to a broader audience.

The news the beloved star is under investigation has become one of the most discussed topics in Chinese social media.

Some internet users think he should be punished for altering red (communist) songs, with one user saying that “art is to serve the people, if people don’t like it then please do not make such art.” Though some users on China’s tightly censored social media platforms suggested the officials were being “oversensitive.”

Limited space for artistic expression

Performers in China are facing an increasingly limited space for artistic expression, as the communist party aims to bring China’s online, celebrity and media in line with the doctrines of “Xi Jinping’s Thought.”

It is not the first time that artists have faced backlash, or even the end of their career, for saying the wrong thing.

Three years ago, Chinese stand-up comedian Li Haoshi was fined 14.7 million yuan ($2 million) in 2023 after he used a phrase associated with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) when he told a story about two stray dogs.

After his joke prompted anger from officials, Li apologized. But he was banned from performing indefinitely, and he has not been seen in public since.

In 2022, comic Li Bo was fined 50,000 yuan ($7,400) for joking about the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in Shanghai and teasing teenagers.

CNN’s Shuai Zhang contributed to the reporting.

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