Chinese comedian Guo Degang investigated after patriotic song gag

Chinese comedian Guo Degang is under investigation by local authorities for allegedly making light of a patriotic song during a performance in Wuhan, central China, in July, according to reports. The 53-year-old comedian, known for his rapid comic dialogue style, is accused of improvising a line from a 1956 song about Chinese soldiers defeating Japanese troops during World War II.

The Wuhan culture and tourism bureau confirmed to AFP that an investigation into Guo is underway, though the progress of the probe remains unclear. Guo, hailing from Tianjin, is renowned for his revival of crosstalk, or "xiangsheng," in the early 2000s and 2010s. He has previously performed on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala and at the Great Hall of the People, a prominent government venue in Beijing.

In the wake of the allegations, several performance venues in Chinese cities have postponed Guo's shows or offered refunds to ticket holders. The disputed song, titled "Playing My Beloved Pipa," was designated as an "outstanding" piece celebrating the founding of the People's Republic of China in 2019. According to The Paper, Guo allegedly altered the original lyric, "quiet on Weishan Lake," to "quiet in the Forbidden City," a line delivered with a comedic twist.

Authorities had not approved this modification before the performance took place, as reported by Wuhan's culture bureau. Tensions surrounding artistic freedom in China have escalated under President Xi Jinping's leadership, with recent fines and show suspensions handed out to artists for perceived breaches of national symbols and values.