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| China TV anchor Bi Fujian to be punished for Mao insult | China TV anchor Bi Fujian to be punished for Mao insult |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| A Chinese star TV anchor is facing "severe punishment" over jokes he made about Mao Zedong, state media report. | A Chinese star TV anchor is facing "severe punishment" over jokes he made about Mao Zedong, state media report. |
| A video of Bi Fujian singing a parody song at a private banquet and insulting the former Chinese leader in strong language was posted online in April. | A video of Bi Fujian singing a parody song at a private banquet and insulting the former Chinese leader in strong language was posted online in April. |
| Mr Bi was taken off air shortly after the incident, amid great controversy. | Mr Bi was taken off air shortly after the incident, amid great controversy. |
| But People's Daily said officials had ordered his employer, state broadcaster CCTV, to punish him for "a serious violation of political discipline". | But People's Daily said officials had ordered his employer, state broadcaster CCTV, to punish him for "a serious violation of political discipline". |
| Mao, who led the country through the Cultural Revolution and a crippling famine which killed millions, remains the subject of much debate. | Mao, who led the country through the Cultural Revolution and a crippling famine which killed millions, remains the subject of much debate. |
| 'We've suffered enough' | 'We've suffered enough' |
| Mr Bi hosts CCTV's annual hugely popular New Year variety show, and is best known in China for hosting the talent show Star Boulevard. | Mr Bi hosts CCTV's annual hugely popular New Year variety show, and is best known in China for hosting the talent show Star Boulevard. |
| In the video, he was seen singing a song from a Mao-era opera, Taking Tiger Mountain By Strategy, with modified lyrics. At one point he sings the words "Chairman Mao", then adds: "Let's not talk about this son of a bitch any longer, he's caused us so much suffering." | |
| His last statement on his Weibo microblog account was an April statement apologising for the incident, saying that his remarks had "created serious adverse consequences... as a public figure I must learn my lesson, and learn to have high standards and strict self-discipline". | His last statement on his Weibo microblog account was an April statement apologising for the incident, saying that his remarks had "created serious adverse consequences... as a public figure I must learn my lesson, and learn to have high standards and strict self-discipline". |
| News of his punishment has been greeted with a mixed reaction on Weibo, with some criticising the lack of freedom of speech and others arguing that he needed to be punished. | News of his punishment has been greeted with a mixed reaction on Weibo, with some criticising the lack of freedom of speech and others arguing that he needed to be punished. |
| Some noted the swift clampdown on Mr Bi was reminiscent of the brutal purges of dissent during the Cultural Revolution led by Mao. | Some noted the swift clampdown on Mr Bi was reminiscent of the brutal purges of dissent during the Cultural Revolution led by Mao. |
| "He was a bit too much, but he was just talking at the dinner table and someone told on him. If this isn't the Cultural Revolution, then what is?" said user Call Me Lixiumei. | |
| Others also noted that many Weibo posts on the topic had been deleted, particularly comments that praised Mr Bi. China regularly scrubs the microblogging network especially on sensitive topics. | Others also noted that many Weibo posts on the topic had been deleted, particularly comments that praised Mr Bi. China regularly scrubs the microblogging network especially on sensitive topics. |
| While China officially acknowledges there were faults in Mao, he remains hugely respected, and insulting him and other leaders is a taboo. | While China officially acknowledges there were faults in Mao, he remains hugely respected, and insulting him and other leaders is a taboo. |
| His legacy is also growing in popularity among those who feel China has moved too far away from his communist ideals. | His legacy is also growing in popularity among those who feel China has moved too far away from his communist ideals. |