đź“ś The Context and Motivations Behind the Crackdown
Here is a summary of the key measures taken in this cultural crackdown
| Measure | Purpose & Rationale |
|---|---|
| Official Industry Symposiums | Convene industry figures to promote the slogan “Love the party, love the country, advocate morality and art” and enforce adherence to social ethics. |
| Caps on Actor Pay | Limit actor pay to 40% of a production’s total cost and lead actor pay to 70% of the total cast payroll to curb “sky-high pay” and tax evasion. |
| Ban on Displaying Wealth | Prohibit celebrities from showing off wealth or “extravagant pleasure” on social media to oppose “money worship” and “individualism.” |
| Content & Aesthetics Regulations | Ban certain reality shows, resist “abnormal aesthetics” (e.g., “sissy” men), and curb “vulgar influencers” and toxic fan culture. |
The government’s actions are not isolated but part of a sustained campaign to assert control over cultural and social spheres.
Targeting “Yin-Yang Contracts” and Tax Evasion: The crackdown intensified following a 2018 scandal where TV presenter Cui Yongyuan publicly alleged that top actress Fan Bingbing used dual “yin and yang contracts” – declaring a lower-value contract to authorities to evade taxes while having a higher-value secret one. This exposed widespread financial misconduct, prompting tax authorities to launch industry-wide investigations.
Promoting Socialist Values over “Western” Influence: Chinese regulators explicitly frame celebrity culture and the ostentatious display of wealth as dangerous Western imports that promote “extreme individualism” rather than the collectivist values central to Communism. The official rhetoric emphasizes that cultural products must “prioritise benefits to society” over mere box office returns or ratings.
⚖️ Enforcement and Impact on Celebrities
The regulatory measures have been enforced with serious consequences for those who run afoul of the new directives.
High-Profile Cases: Several A-list celebrities have faced severe penalties:
Zhao Wei: A famous actress and brand ambassador was abruptly de-platformed, with her name removed from all works on major streaming sites without an official reason provided.
Zhang Zhehan: The actor faced a similar erasure after old photos of him visiting a controversial Japanese war shrine sparked nationalist outrage online.
Leveraging Social Media Controls: The Cyberspace Administration of China introduced rules explicitly forbidding celebrities from using social media to display “extravagant pleasure,” spread rumors, or incite fan disputes. Accounts must adhere to “correct public opinion orientation and value orientation”.
🎤 Industry Response and “Positive Energy”
The government’s campaign has elicited specific, mandated forms of public compliance from the industry. At the symposiums, actors and directors gave speeches aligning with the official narrative. Actor Zhang Tong stated the necessity for a Chinese literary worker to “understand one’s own direction… and improve one’s personal morality”. Director Zhang Yongxin echoed this, saying the duty of creators is to “pass positive energy silently to the audience”. This concept of promoting “positive energy” has become a cornerstone of the state’s prescribed role for artists.
These actions against the entertainment industry are part of a wider regulatory tightening that has also targeted the tech sector, online gaming, and social media, with the stated goal of curbing disorder and protecting the public, particularly youth.
