Bieber banned by China
BEIJING It is not appropriate for Canadian pop star Justin Bieber to visit China because of his bad behaviour, and he needs to improve his conduct to become a singer ‘‘truly loved’’ by the public, a Chinese state office says.
Bieber’s lifestyle overseas and his ‘‘words and actions’’ when he last performed in China had generated ‘‘public dissatisfaction’’, Beijing’s Municipal Bureau of Culture said yesterday, without specifying what behaviour had caused offence.
Given efforts to ‘‘purify’’ the performing arts environment in China, ‘‘it was not appropriate to bring in artists with bad behaviour’’, the bureau said on its website, responding to a question from a fan asking why Bieber was not being allowed to tour.
‘‘We hope Justin Bieber will continue to improve his behaviour as part of his growth, and become a singer truly loved by the public,’’ it said.
It is unclear whether the comments, which were carried on an official government website, constituted a ban, or if the singer had sought to tour China.
Bieber’s management company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Bieber performed in China in 2013. Media coverage centred on him stripping on stage in Beijing to reveal his bare torso, being carried up the steps of the Great Wall of China, and riding a Segway, again shirtless, through the streets. He also posted a photo on social media showing him visiting Japan’s controversial Yasukuni war shrine in 2014.
Bieber, 23, has become notorious for a string of indiscretions and scandals in recent years, shedding the clean-cut image he had when he burst on to the music scene as a teenager.
Chinese media reported in January that Bieber was set to return this year, but no concert dates have been announced. He is due to perform in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore in September and October.
Several big-name musicians have been blocked from performing in China, including Lady Gaga, Bjork and Bon Jovi, who have all met or expressed support for the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. Reuters