Inside Story

Is China undergoing a new ‘cultural revolution’?

From technology to education and entertainment, few sectors have been spared from regulatory crackdowns.

China has tightened rules and regulations across many areas of society during the past few months. The entertainment industry is the latest target.

Regulators have banned reality talent shows and so-called “effeminate-looking” men on television.

They have also limited the number of hours children can play video games, and asked tech companies to remove content that promotes “incorrect values”.

This is happening as the government promotes President Xi Jinping’s political ideology through the education system.

The decisions have been sudden, dramatic and even baffling to some observers.

What is this all about?

Presenter: Imran Khan

Guests:

William Yang – President, Taiwan Foreign Correspondents’ Club

Xiaoning Lu – Reader in modern Chinese culture and language, SOAS University of London

Elliott Zaagman – Writer and co-host, China Tech Investor Podcast