Chinese authorities fine companies over Guo Degang’s altered patriotic song

Chinese authorities have imposed significant fines on companies involved in a performance by prominent comedian Guo Degang after he altered the lyrics of a patriotic song. The Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism announced the penalties following a July 24 performance of “The Living Buddha Ji Gong,” where Guo improvised changes to the song “Playing My Beloved Tupa.”

Officials determined that the alterations, which included changing lyrics related to the Second Sino-Japanese War and adding humorous phrases, “distorted” the song and caused an “adverse social impact.” Authorities emphasized that revolutionary songs carry national memory and must not be misrepresented. While the performance had been approved in advance, the specific lyric changes were not included in the submitted materials.

Jiangsu Zidiruicheng Sports and Cultural Industry Development Co., the show’s organizer, was fined approximately 486,874 yuan (USD $68,000) and ordered to forfeit proceeds. Wuhan Zhongnan Theater Management Co., the venue operator, was fined 110,000 yuan (USD $15,400). While the notice stated other involved personnel would be “dealt with seriously,” no specific administrative punishment was listed for Guo himself. Following the incident, several of Guo’s shows were canceled, and he has not performed in public since.