The Mao taboo
Criticising the founder of Communist China is still considered blasphemous
WHEN a video of Bi Fujian calling Mao Zedong “a son of a bitch” at a private dinner party was posted online earlier this month, it went viral. The popular-television host was suspended from his job and the clip taken down. The authorities reportedly asked local media to cool discussion of the episode, but online chatter continues unabated.
The gaffe has embarrassed the Communist Party because Mr Bi is one of the best-known faces of China Central Television, the state broadcaster. As well as glitzy talent shows, he presents Chinese television’s most-watched event, the tightly scripted Spring Festival gala. The video, apparently filmed secretly, shows him singing his own mocking lyrics to a Mao-era opera while his guests laugh. The snitch has not been unmasked, while several prominent figures have been quick to say that they were not present. Mr Bi has apologised publicly and promised to “exercise strict self-discipline”.
This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline "The Mao taboo"
From the April 18th 2015 edition
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