China blacklists actor Zhang Zhehan on social networks

The blacking out of the actor’s accounts on all social media platforms came after the CAPA urged the industry to ban Zhang

Chinese actor and singer Zhang Zhehan was blacklisted from social media platforms in China after photos of him visiting Japan’s Yasukuni Shrine in 2018 go viral.

According to the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party, no Chinese people should be “ignorant” of the history of the War of Resistance against Japanese aggression (1931-1945), especially public figures.

The blacking out of the actor’s accounts on all social networks came after the China Association of Performing Arts (CAPA) urged the industry to ban Zhang.

According to the association, Yasukuni Shrine is the spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarism in launching its war of aggression and a place where right-wing Japanese forces deny history and beautify the war.

This announcement follows right after China has issued new guidelines in March this year for its performing artists to — according to the official statement — increase the quality of the performances, shine a positive light on them and advance the development of the industry.

The rules affect an entire industry, from actors and singers to magicians, comedians, and acrobats. The most important ones include “love for the party and its principles” and serving “the people and socialism.” The regulations issued by the government-backed CAPA come at a time of hardline social policies followed by China.

Chinese music platform NetEase Cloud Music and QQ Music, streaming site Youku, and video-sharing platform Douyin have announced their clearing and removing Zhang’s account. His behaviour was considered harmful and had a negative impact on society, especially the youth.

CAPA’s assessment says that Zhang’s highly improper behavior harms national emotion and negatively influences teenagers who follow him.

The association reprimanded Zhang and urged a boycott of him in the performing industry in accordance with provisions of “notice for the self-discipline of performers in the performance industry.”