China purges effeminate men from their entertainment airwaves
The government justified this push as a means of regulating morality in what Xi Jinping called a “national rejuvenation” effort of the country’s culture.
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The government justified this push as a means of regulating morality in what Xi Jinping called a “national rejuvenation” effort of the country’s culture.
Over the past few years, China's leadership has increasingly intervened in what mass media their people are allowed to partake in. The most recent of these efforts target the role models citizens see on TV.
This latest news from the Chinese government comes via ABC. China’s TV regulators say broadcast channels must "resolutely put an end to sissy men and other abnormal esthetics," in essence.
Concerns from officials are that Korean and Japanese actors and singers have encouraged feminization of Chinese males.
Alongside their desire that men be men, a larger crackdown on entertainment culture is ongoing. As outlined by Reuters, China is no longer allowing people to rank celebrities by popularity and quashing encouragement for fans to buy merchandise.
Why? The Cyberspace Administration of China says it’s so regulators "increase their sense of responsibility, mission and urgency to maintain online political and ideological security."
It’s best summarized as a crusade against cults of personality. Leadership thinks if the populace is too distracted with fan clubs for famous people, it might destroy social cohesion.
A Bloomberg report points out that famous Chinese actress Zhao Wei has had her name erased from films she’s worked on, and her online brand presence eradicated from Chinese social media.
This isn’t the first new measure rolled about the Chinese Communist Party this week. At the end of August, the CCP announced video game playtime restrictions for minors. The children of China are only allowed three hours a week — 8 to 9 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Holidays being a bonus exception day for this rule.
Outwardly, China is projecting a domineering image. Last month’s disastrous withdrawal efforts by the Biden administration from Afghanistan were seen as an opportunity by the Chinese to flex their strength against Taiwan. To that effect, China’s military held assault drills off the Taiwanese coast.
In addition to that, Taliban’s partnership with the CCP has been solidified.
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