Wuhan, China – The city’s Culture and Tourism Bureau announced an investigation into Guo Degang, the nation‑wide star of traditional crosstalk comedy, after he altered the lyrics of a well‑known revolutionary song during a July performance. The bureau said the unsanctioned portion of the act may violate the Regulations on the Administration of Commercial Performances and public‑morals standards.
What prompted the probe
During a show in Wuhan, Guo improvised a line that replaced the original lyric “all is quiet on Weishan lake” with “all is quiet in the Forbidden City.” The song, titled “Playing my beloved pipa,” commemorates the guerrilla fighters of the Sino‑Japanese war and was featured in the 1950s film Railroad Guerrillas. A complainant submitted a letter to the bureau, claiming Guo’s version distorted a classic revolutionary work and violated public morals.
Official response and impact on performances
The bureau confirmed the investigation is ongoing and noted that the altered portion was not included in the materials submitted for prior approval. No timeline was given for a conclusion. In the meantime, several of Guo’s scheduled shows have been cancelled. A representative from the Xi’an Chanba Poly Grand Theater, where Guo was slated to appear, said ticket holders will receive automatic refunds and that no return date has been set.
Guo’s career and previous controversies
Guo Degang is credited with reviving crosstalk, a traditional Chinese comedic dialogue form, and co‑founded the Qilin Theatre Company to promote lesser‑known art forms. He is a household name across China, and his current tour marks the 10th anniversary of his theatre group.
His situation follows earlier incidents involving Chinese comedians. In 2023, stand‑up comic Li Haoshi was fined 14.7 million yuan after a joke referencing the People’s Liberation Army sparked official anger, leading to an indefinite performance ban. In 2022, Li Bo faced a 50,000‑yuan fine for jokes about Shanghai’s COVID‑19 lockdown.
Public reaction
Social media discussion in China has been divided. Some users argue that art should serve the people and that altering a revolutionary song warrants punishment, while others describe the authorities’ reaction as overly sensitive. The episode highlights the tightening environment for artistic expression as the ruling party seeks to align media, online platforms, and celebrity culture with “Xi Jinping’s Thought.”
Broader context
China’s cultural regulators have increasingly scrutinized performances, films, and online content for adherence to party ideology. The current probe underscores the delicate balance comedians must maintain in a highly censored environment, where even a single lyric change can trigger official action.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
