The Chinese government has introduced new TV regulations as part of a “national rejuvenation” campaign, as put by President Xi Jinping.
The rejuvenation will means stricter control of culture, religion, education and business by the Chinese Communist Party.
This includes a call by China’s TV regulator for television broadcasters to “resolutely put an end to sissy men and other abnormal aesthetics”. The announcement used the slang term “niang pao”, an insulting phrase used to describe effeminate men. It’s literal translation is “girlie guns”.
As well as limiting “abnormal aesthetics”, broadcasters have also been told not to promote “vulgar interney celebrities” either.
According to President Xi Jinping, this is part of broadcasters’ duty to create shows that “vigorously promote excellent Chinese traditional culture, revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture.”
The LA Times reports that these calls by the government are the result of fears that Chinese pop stars – who often use the colourful, gender-neutral aesthetics of K-Pop and J-Pop stars – are encouraging men to be less masculine.
As well as TV restrictions, the Chinese government has also limited children’s access to video games.
Now, anyone under 18 is restricted to three hours per week of online gaming.
