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List of banned items in China

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Ncboy2010 (talk | contribs) at 16:37, 7 February 2012 (removing cleanup tag (too vague, no specific directions) and references tag (nearly everything in this list has references)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.


This is a partial list of banned items in the People's Republic of China organized by medium. This list is limited to well documented, notable examples of censorship by the PRC and its dependencies.

Bans have been enacted for various reasons including geopolitical reasons[1], fear of inciting anger or unrest, negative depictions of Chinese people or culture[2], superstitious or religious propaganda, societal issues such as depictions of homosexuality, and to show preferential treatment for domestic productions.[3]

Animation

Item Start End Notes
Animation 2006 - 08/01
--
Banned all foreign animation from prime-time viewing hours (5 to 8 pm) to help with domestic animation production. [4][3]

Literature

Item Start End Notes
Lung Ying-tai 2009 - 09/11
--
Expunged all essays and works by Lung Ying-tai. The last posting appeared on September 3 at Xinhua Online and referenced her new book Wide Rivers and Seas: 1949[5]. Although the headline is still accessible, the page only says "sorry! The article you're looking for has been deleted or has expired" [5]


Film & Television

Item Start End Notes
Brokeback Mountain 2006
--
censored for being "too controversial"[6]
Memoirs of a Geisha 2006
--
Due to ethnically Chinese actors portraying Japanese characters in the film.[6]
The Dark Knight
--
--
Warner Brothers never submitted The Dark Knight for censors, citing "Cultural sensitivities in some elements of the film" due to several instances in the film that could be deemed offensive, including showing a Chinese money launderer, and a small appearance by a Hong Kong singer who's sexually explicit photographs leaked onto the internet.[7]
The Departed 2007
--
for suggesting that the government intends to use nuclear weapons on Taiwan (a sensitive political issue – never given permission to screen)[8]
Farewell My Concubine 1993
--
a Chinese film that won the Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or, was banned due to homosexual themes and negative portrayal of communism.[2]
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
--
--
banned because (according to Xinhua, the state news agency of the People's Republic of China) 10 minutes of footage containing Chow Yun-fat's portrayal of Singaporean pirate Sao Feng have been trimmed from versions of the film which may be shown in China. Chow is onscreen for 20 minutes in the uncensored theatrical release of the film. No official reason for the censorship was given, but unofficial sources within China have indicated that the character offered a negative and stereotypical portrayal of the Chinese people.[9]
Time Travel 2011 - 04/01
--
All depictions of time travel in film or television has been banned, due to "disrespect to history".[10]

Music

Item Start End Notes
Chinese Democracy 2008
--
 by American rock band Guns N' Roses is banned in China, reportedly due to supposed criticism in its title track about the government and a reference to the Falun Gong.[11] The government said through a state controlled newspaper that it "turns its spear point on China".[12][13]
X 2008
--
 The album by Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue was released as a 10-track edition of the album by EMI Records. The album got three tracks banned due to strict censorship in the People's Republic of China. The tracks that were omitted were "Nu-di-ty", "Speakerphone" and "Like a Drug".[14]

Video Games

Websites

Main article: List of banned websites in china

See Also

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ a b Kristof, Nicholas D. (4 August 1993). "China Bans One of Its Own Films; Cannes Festival Gave It Top Prize". New York Times. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  3. ^ a b BBC - American Cartoons Banned from Chinese Prime Time
  4. ^ MSNBC - D'Oh! China bans Simpsons Primetime
  5. ^ a b China Free Press Lung Ying-tai becomes an internet pariah in China. Chinafreepress.org (2009-09-18). Retrieved on 2010-05-09.
  6. ^ a b [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4657052.stm BBC Brokeback Mountain, Geisha film banned
  7. ^ Dark Knight won't be on big screen in China - BBC
  8. ^ China Whacks The Departed, E!
  9. ^ "China gives bald pirate the chop". Associated Press. 2007-06-15. Retrieved 2006-06-15. [dead link‍]
  10. ^ China Bans Time Travel on TV
  11. ^ "內地封殺 GN'R 唱片". Apple Daily (in Traditional Chinese). Hong Kong. 24 November 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2008. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  12. ^ "'Venomous' Guns N' Roses album slammed in China". CNN. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
  13. ^ Bodeen, Christopher (25 November 2008). "Rock album 'an attack on China'". The Independent. London. Retrieved 25 November 2008.
  14. ^ "Kylie Minogue X China CD ALBUM (436290)". Esprit International Limited. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
  15. ^ a b c Banned In Beijing: China Cracks Down on Games
  16. ^ Swedish Video Game Banned for Harming China's Sovereignty
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