Chinese theater, promoter fined for altered patriotic song in a comedy show

BANGKOK (AP) — Authorities fined two companies and said that one of China’s best-known comedians had caused a “negative impact” on society, after an audience reported him for changing the lyrics of a patriotic song during a performance.

The Culture and Tourism Bureau in Wuhan city said Monday they found the comedian Guo Degang “distorted” a patriotic song. It fined the company hosting Guo and the theater for violating rules on commercial performances. It also said it will “deal seriously” with relevant personnel, without specifying what those punishments will entail.

Guo is considered the country’s most prominent performer of traditional xiangsheng, a form of Chinese comedic dialogue using word play and rhymes. He was placed under investigation by the Wuhan authorities in August, local media reported.

“Revolutionary songs carry the memory of the Chinese nation’s War of Resistance and the feelings of the people. No organization or person can be allowed to distort or misrepresent them,” authorities said in the statement announcing the fine, referring to the Chinese resistance against Japan starting in 1937.

Guo’s performance had been approved in advance by the Wuhan authorities, but the lyric change was not, which may have violated regulations governing commercial performances, Chinese state media previously reported.

State media also said that Guo used “mocking words” at the end of the song.

The lyrics are from “Playing My Beloved Pipa,” a song from “Railway Guerrilla,” a well-known 1950s film about Communist-led guerrillas fighting Japanese forces during World War II. Pipa is a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, similar to a lute.

Guo had been on tour and multiple shows were canceled after the incident. He has not performed in public since and his troupe's social media page has stopped updating.

Guo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.