Latest news with #gender discord
The Independent
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
China warns comedians against stirring up gender discord ‘for the sake of being funny'
Chinese authorities warned comedians against stirring up gender discord in the Asian country after a video of a performer talking about her marriage went viral. In a notice issued over the weekend, the Zhejiang provincial publicity department criticised comedy shows for becoming a "battlefield" and simplifying gender issues into opposition between men and women. The authorities called out The King of Stand-up Comedy show on streaming platform iQiyi but did not name any comedian. The caution came after a number of recent performances by women comedians related to gender bias gained popularity in the country. Women's rights in China remain a contentious issue, with the government accused of systematically dismantling almost all expressions of independent feminist activism over the past decade, including the MeToo movement. 'Criticism is fine,' the notice on WeChat said but stressed that it should be 'constructive rather than revolve around gender opposition for the sake of being funny'. It suggested that instead of "mocking 'blindly confident men'', comedy was much better used exploring the social causes for this mentality. "Instead of blindly ridiculing 'materialistic women', it is better to reflect on how consumerism shapes gender roles," it added. "We sincerely hope that the rising stand-up comedy scene can become more rational and profound, with less division and more understanding." The King of Stand-up Comedy featured a performance earlier this month by 50-year-old comedian Fan Chunli, popularly known by her stage name Fangzhuren, that revolved around her marriage and why she had left her husband. Members of the audience were moved to tears and clips from the show went viral on Chinese social media. The Zhejiang warning was criticised on social media for being overly sensitive when "something is discussed from a female perspective". "Simply stating the facts now counts as inciting conflict between men and women?' a commentator on Weibo asked.
CNA
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Chinese authorities warn comedians against provoking 'gender opposition'
BEIJING: Chinese officials have warned comedians against stirring up gender discord, instructing those who invoke a battle of the sexes to criticise constructively rather than "for the sake of being funny". The WeChat article posted over the weekend by authorities in eastern Zhejiang province comes after a comedian detailed her abusive marriage in a performance that went viral on Chinese social media. Women's rights are sensitive territory in China - over the last decade, authorities have cracked down on almost every form of independent feminist activism. Zhejiang's publicity department chastised some comedy shows for becoming a "battlefield" and simplifying gender issues into "opposition between men and women". "Criticism is obviously fine, but it should be ... constructive rather than revolve around gender opposition for the sake of being funny," Sunday's WeChat article read. The department also offered comedians tips on how to discuss gender in their sets. "Instead of mocking 'blindly confident men' it is better to explore the social causes for this mentality", it suggested. "Instead of blindly ridiculing 'materialistic women', it is better to reflect on how consumerism shapes gender roles." The warning did not name a specific comedian, but called out streaming platform iQiyi's "The King of Stand-up Comedy", and mentioned a newcomer dubbed an "industry gem" online. Earlier this month, the show broadcast a performance by Fan Chunli - who goes by the stage name "Fangzhuren" - an affable 50-year-old whose set revolved around her abusive marriage. Members of the audience were moved to tears and many stood to applaud when she revealed she had left her ex-husband. Clips of her set spread across the Chinese internet, earning the former sanitation worker from northern Shandong province legions of new fans. "I hope Fangzhuren's ex-husband hears this and dies of anger," reads the top-liked comment under a clip re-shared by the programme's official Weibo account. "JUST SAYING FACTS" The Chinese arts scene has always been censored by the ruling Communist Party, and authorities have tightened that oversight in the past decade. But Sunday's warning sparked some criticism online. "Just saying the facts of what happened is provoking opposition between men and women?" one top-liked Weibo comment reads. "Once something is discussed from a female perspective it is labelled gender opposition, isn't that too sensitive," reads another. Other women have faced backlash for joking about gender issues in the past. Last year, retail giant dropped its sponsorship of Yang Li, a comedian known for asking why men "look so mediocre yet still have so much self-confidence". Irked customers, mostly men, filled the company's social media with angry comments after Yang appeared at a promotional event. But this month, fans applauded Fangzhuren for telling her story. "The environment changes people, and will prompt women's awakening," she posted on Weibo.
