Chinese provincial authorities have advised comedians to avoid fueling tensions between genders, urging them to offer constructive critique rather than making jokes solely for humor.
The guidance was issued by officials in Zhejiang province through a WeChat post over the weekend, following a comedian's viral performance detailing her reportedly troubled marriage.
Gender-related topics remain highly sensitive in China, where independent advocacy for women's rights has faced significant restrictions in recent years.
Officials from Zhejiang's publicity department criticized some comedy routines for turning into "battlegrounds" and oversimplifying gender dynamics into conflicts between men and women.
"Criticism is acceptable, but it should be thoughtful rather than based on gender antagonism just for laughs," the WeChat post stated.
The department also provided suggestions on addressing gender issues in performances.
"Rather than ridiculing 'overconfident men,' it’s better to examine the societal factors behind this mindset. Instead of mocking 'materialistic women,' consider how consumer culture influences gender expectations," the post added.
While no specific comedian was named, the warning referenced iQiyi’s stand-up competition *The King of Stand-up Comedy* and praised an emerging performer labeled an "industry standout."
Earlier this month, the show featured Fan Chunli, known as "Fangzhuren," whose routine centered on her difficult past marriage. Audience members were reportedly moved to tears, and clips of her performance gained widespread attention online, boosting her popularity.
China’s entertainment industry operates under strict oversight, with authorities intensifying control in recent years. However, the latest advisory drew mixed reactions online.
"Merely stating facts is now considered stirring gender conflict?" one widely shared Weibo comment questioned.
"Whenever women share their perspectives, it gets labeled as divisive. Isn’t that excessive?" another remarked.
Women addressing gender issues in comedy have faced pushback before. In 2024, retailer JD.com ended its partnership with comedian Yang Li after she joked about men appearing "average yet overly confident," prompting backlash from some male customers.
This month, Fangzhuren received support from fans for sharing her story.
"Circumstances shape people and can lead to women’s empowerment," she wrote on Weibo.
"Back in my village, wanting a divorce made me unacceptable," she added. "But outside, when I talk about it, the audience cheers."
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