#China bans men considered ‘girly’ from appearing on TV

China’s authoritarian government on Wednesday banned men it considers effeminate from appearing on state television as its grip on the nation’s culture tightens.

The edict is part of President Xi Jinping’s “national rejuvenation,” which demands businesses, schools, culture and religion adhere to the Communist Party’s vision for a more powerful China.

Under the guidelines, broadcasters must “resolutely put an end to sissy men and other abnormal esthetics,” authorities said, using an offensive slang term literally meaning “girlie guns.”

Officials are concerned that Chinese pop stars and their fans are emulating skinny and androgynous South Korean and Japanese singers and actors, and young men in the country are not encouraged to be masculine enough.

Communists have tried to minimize celebrity worship by demanding broadcasters avoid promoting “vulgar internet celebrities” and wealth. Instead, shows should “vigorously promote excellent Chinese traditional culture, revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture.”

Under the new rules, children and teens will only be allowed to play online games three hours a week — and never on school days. Game developers were required to only release games with pro-China themes.

As the state cracked down on the influence of celebrities, the works of popular actress, Zhao Wei vanished from streaming platforms overnight, as another actress, Zheng Shuang, was fined $46 million on tax evasion charges.

With AP wires