Latest news with #Fangzhuren
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Chinese Authorities Warn Comedians Over Jokes About Men and Women
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Chinese officials in the eastern province of Zhejiang have put stand-up comics on notice to avoid jokes that could fuel resentment between the sexes. Why It Matters Introduced to China a little over a decade ago, stand-up comedy experienced something of a boom in the 2010s, moving beyond small local venues and into the national media spotlight, spawning series such as Shanghai-based Xiaoguo Culture Media's Rock & Roast. Social commentary is no stranger to the genre. But Chinese comedians weaving sensitive topics, including the gender divide, into routines have drawn unwanted scrutiny and censorship from the ruling Chinese Communist Party, which has in recent years increasingly cracked down on activities it considers disruptive to social harmony. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry via email for comment. What To Know Zhejiang's propaganda bureau issued a notice Sunday advising stand-up comedians to avoid relying on jokes that "intensify gender antagonism" to boost their profile. "As a new form of performance, stand-up comedy has attracted many young people, and it is normal for it to express different perspectives and even present differences between men and women," the bureau acknowledged while stating that roasting the opposite sex shouldn't be the focus of bits. "For example, some jokes imply that all men are unreliable, while others belittle women's abilities—such content is not only inaccurate but also easily misleads the audience and reinforces gender stereotypes," the notice said. Stand-up comedian Qiqi performs at a shopping mall in Beijing on November 21, 2020. Stand-up comedian Qiqi performs at a shopping mall in Beijing on November 21, 2020. Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images Comedians should ensure their words promote social responsibility, and their industry should self-regulate and "deliver high-quality comedic works," the bureau said, warning that failure to do so will be met with tighter regulations. Several gender-related routines by female comics have garnered attention in Chinese media. Fan Chunli, who performs under the stage name Fangzhuren and is a former sanitation worker from Shandong province, gained a surge of new fans after her appearance on The King of Stand-up Comedy on the iQiyi streaming platform, where she revealed how she had left an allegedly abusive marriage. Other comedians have faced backlash for their routines, such as Yang Li, whose sponsor, dropped her last year after outraged men flooded the retail giant's social media with complaints. Yang had previously sparked controversy over a 2020 joke about some average-looking men, quipping, "Why can they look so ordinary yet remain so confident?" Comics in China must tread carefully to avoid provoking authorities, a lesson learned by stand-up comedian Li Haoshi in 2023 after a joke about his dogs using a well-known military slogan was deemed "severely insulting" to the People's Liberation Army. Despite a public apology, Li was placed under investigation, and his production company, Xiaoguo Culture Media, was fined $2 million. The episode continues to cast a shadow over China's emerging stand-up comedy scene. What People Are Saying Teng Wu, director of South China Normal University's Center for Contemporary Cultural Studies, wrote for Sixth Tone in September: "China's stand-up, but its history—a foreign comedy performance art that was successfully localized, industrialized, then devastated only to be revived—reveals the pitfalls and risks of the country's popular culture model." One user wrote on the Chinese microblogging platform Weibo: "Stand-up comedy is, at its core, all about talking about things you've experienced. The content of stand-up shows has started to change simply because in the past couple of years, the proportion of male and female performers has shifted." Another Weibo user wrote: "There isn't really any gender antagonism, just excessive feminism, with one-sided attacks on Chinese men." Another Weibo user wrote: "It's just a few female stand-up comedians expressing some factual opinions—are people really this afraid? Men have held the power of discourse for thousands of years."
HKFP
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- HKFP
Chinese officials warn comedians against provoking ‘gender opposition'
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 heavily 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. 'When I said in the village I wanted a divorce, I was… unforgivable,' she wrote. 'On the outside, when I talk about my divorce, the audience applauds.'
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Chinese officials warn women comedians that men are no laughing matter
Chinese provincial officials have warned comedians against stirring up discord between the genders, instructing them to criticise constructively rather than 'for the sake of being funny'. The warning came from authorities in eastern Zhejiang province on WeChat over the weekend after a comedian referred to her allegedly 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' – whose set revolved around her allegedly 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. The Chinese arts scene has always been heavily 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. Women have faced backlash for joking about gender issues in the past. In 2024, retail company 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. 'When I said in the village I wanted a divorce, I was … unforgivable,' she wrote. 'On the outside, when I talk about my divorce, the audience applauds.'
Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Chinese authorities warn comedians against provoking ‘gender opposition'
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Zhejiang's publicity department chastised some comedy shows for simplifying gender issues into 'opposition between men and women'. 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 the 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,' the July 20 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. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving '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 in July, the show broadcast a performance by Ms 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 heavily censored by the ruling Communist Party, and the authorities have tightened that oversight in the past decade. But the July 20 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. In 2023, retail giant dropped its sponsorship of Ms 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 Ms Yang appeared at a promotional event. But in July, fans applauded Fangzhuren for telling her story. 'The environment changes people, and will prompt women's awakening,' she posted on Weibo. 'When I said in the village I wanted a divorce, I was... unforgivable,' she wrote. 'On the outside, when I talk about my divorce, the audience applauds.' AFP
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.
