Guo Degang under investigation for improvising revolutionary song lyrics

Guo Degang, one of China’s most prominent comedians, is under investigation by the Wuhan Culture and Tourism Bureau following a performance in late July. The investigation was triggered by a complaint from an audience member who alleged that Guo violated public morals and standards of conduct by improvising lyrics to a famous revolutionary song, ‘Playing my beloved pipa’.

During the performance, Guo altered a verse from the original, which references Weishan Lake, to instead say ‘all is quiet in the Forbidden City’. The song is a significant cultural piece that commemorates communist guerrilla fighters from the Sino-Japanese War and was selected in 2019 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. The mention of the Forbidden City is considered politically sensitive due to its historical association with imperial power and the current seat of authority.

The Wuhan bureau stated that the modified lyrics were not included in the materials submitted for prior regulatory approval. As a result of the investigation, several of Guo’s scheduled performances on his 10th-anniversary tour have been canceled, and ticket holders are being issued refunds. The case highlights the tightening constraints on artistic expression and comedic improvisation within China.