A Chinese stand-up comedian has canceled all his performances after a joke he made with a loose reference to the country’s military prompted anger from authorities and an official investigation into the company that represents him.
The controversy underscores the delicate line comedians must tread in highly censored China, a country where politics is rarely a laughing matter. Li Haoshi caught the attention of authorities after using a phrase associated with the People’s Liberation Army as he told a story about two stray dogs in his recent comedy routine, according to state-affiliated media Jimu News.
On Monday Beijing Cultural Law Enforcement Agency launched an investigation into Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media, the company that represents Li, state media Beijing Evening News reported. Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media described the joke as “inappropriate” before offering an apology in a statement on Monday. “We have suspended his work indefinitely,” said the production firm, adding that it would “step up education and training on actors to maintain the order in the industry.
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