Chinese comedian Guo Degang investigated after patriotic song gag

Renowned Chinese comedian Guo Degang is under investigation by local authorities for allegedly making light of a patriotic song during a July performance in Wuhan. The ruling Communist Party maintains strict control over China's arts scene, enacting laws to protect national symbols from perceived slander.

Guo, 53, is accused of improvising parts of a 1956 tune titled "Playing My Beloved Pipa," which commemorates Chinese fighters defeating Japanese soldiers in World War II. Reports suggest he altered a lyric from "quiet on Weishan Lake" to "quiet in the Forbidden City" and delivered the lines with a "comedic" tone. The Wuhan culture and tourism bureau confirmed the ongoing investigation, though its current stage remains unclear.

Guo, known for reviving the comic dialogue style of crosstalk, has a history of performing at high-profile state events. However, his Weibo account has been inactive since August 9, and venues in other cities have postponed his performances, offering refunds to ticket holders.

This investigation occurs within a context of tightened oversight on artistic performances under President Xi Jinping. Last year, a performing group faced hefty fines and indefinite show suspensions after a comic's joke about the armed forces was deemed to have "caused a bad social impact" and broken the law. The song Guo allegedly parodied was recognized in 2019 as an "outstanding" piece celebrating the founding of the People's Republic of China.