Comedian Guo Degang investigated for patriotic song parody

Chinese comedian Guo Degang is under investigation by local authorities following a performance in Wuhan where he allegedly parodied a patriotic song. The 53-year-old Tianjin-based performer is a prominent figure in the “xiangsheng” (crosstalk) comedy style and has previously performed at major state events, including the Spring Festival Gala.

The investigation centers on an improvised segment during a July performance involving the 1956 song “Playing My Beloved Pipa,” a piece recognized for celebrating the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Reports indicate Guo altered the lyric “quiet on Weishan Lake” to “quiet in the Forbidden City,” performing the lines with a comedic tone. The Wuhan Culture and Tourism Bureau confirmed the investigation is ongoing, noting that the lyrical variations had not received official approval.

As a result of the scrutiny, several venues in other Chinese cities have postponed scheduled performances featuring Guo and are issuing refunds to ticket holders. The investigation occurs within a broader regulatory environment in China where laws have been enacted to protect national symbols and heroes from perceived slander or defamation.