China bans entertainers who "offend sovereignty"
18/7/2008 17:51
Overseas entertainers will be banned from the Chinese mainland if they are
deemed to have "offended the country's sovereignty" during performances, says
China's Ministry of Culture.
"Any individual entertainers or artistic groups
formerly involved in activities that endangered state sovereignty will not be
allowed in," according to a circular posted on the ministry's website
yesterday.
Performances that "undermine national unity, endanger state
security, stir up ethnic hatred, violate religious policy and ethnic customs,
publicize pornography and superstition" would be barred, the circular
said.
The circular gave no names on the "black list", but it stressed that
all the information on entertainers and programs should be submitted in advance
for approval, encores included.
The new measures also apply to entertainers
from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
Under the new rule, performers such as
Icelandic singer Bjork, who stirred up controversy in March by chanting "Tibet"
after singing the song "Declare Independence", would become a persona non
grata.
Vice Minister of Culture Zhou Heping said at a conference the
"individual case" violated Chinese laws and hurt the feelings of Chinese people,
but China still welcomed foreign entertainers so long as they obeyed Chinese
laws.
Almost 1,700 postings on Chinese web portal Sina.com gave overwhelming
support to the move, with most acclaiming the "wise" decision of the
government.
In late May, Hollywood actress Sharon Stone also incurred
criticism when she said the May 12 quake had been the result of bad "karma".
Films featuring Stone have been banned from any UME cinema in Hong Kong and the
mainland, and products of films featuring Stone have disappeared from major film
and music stores.
Xinhua
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