Chinese comedy firm hit with $2 million fine for a joke on military

China has fined Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media Co, a well-known comedy firm, 14.7 million yuan ($2.13 million) for reportedly “harming society” with a military-related joke performed by one of its comedians. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism Bureau in Beijing declared that the corporation would be penalised 13.35 million yuan, with an additional 1.35 million yuan in “illegal profits” confiscated. The fine was given after an investigation determined that Li Haoshi, better known as House, violated restrictions during a recent performance.

A description of Li’s joke went viral on Chinese social media, sparking the dispute. On May 13, Li narrated adopting two stray dogs who pursued a squirrel during a live stand-up performance in Beijing. He then linked this to the statement, “Have a good work style, be able to fight and win battles,” which Chinese President Xi Jinping used in 2013 to complement the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) work ethic.

According to the cultural bureau, “We will never permit any organisation or person to use Chinese platforms to deliberately tarnish the great reputation of the PLA.” As a result, Xiaoguo Culture has been barred from putting on future concerts in Beijing. In reaction to the fine, the corporation blamed the event on “major management flaws” and swiftly terminated Li’s contract.

Not the first time

Xiaoguo Culture, launched in Shanghai in 2015, has grown in popularity in tandem with the country’s increasing interest in stand-up comedy. The firm has helped to raise the profile of a number of local entertainers, performers and comedians. However, this is not the first time that Xiaoguo Culture and its performers have been targeted by authorities. The company was fined 200,000 yuan in July 2021 for showing an advertisement that objectified women as it included a comedian promoting a lingerie brand.

Unfortunately, Li Haoshi has not yet responded to the penalty, and his Weibo account appears to have been blocked from posting. The Xiaoguo Culture debate exposes the complicated relationships between artistic expression, societal norms, and government rules in China’s media sector.