![]() I feel that all areas of creativity and expression have no room for survival. For a long time, in this way, one thinks and creates with fear. “Even internet users, who have no public influence, are being pursued … The whole atmosphere has become not just official censorship, but self-censorship and mutual censorship. “I didn’t think that the red line would be so easily crossed and that there would be no mercy when it was,” said the comic, who requested anonymity. One overseas Chinese comic said Li’s joke had nothing to do with politics, and that the case made her feel “shocked and desperate”. The furore over Li’s joke has prompted some comedy operators to cancel shows, and spread fear among performers about crossing government lines. “They never thought that they would be insulted by some bad-minded youngsters years later for having defended the country,” said another. “Without the military, how could you have a stable life today? You are not grateful for your words, you are not a human being!” said one. FBI Director Christopher Wray described the economic espionage threat from China as one of the most serious threats to the economic and national security of the U.S. ![]() On Weibo, news about Shi had been read about 4m times by Friday, with most comments generally angry at her for supporting Li. The Global Times reported she was put in administrative detention, which allows police to hold someone for up to 15 days without charge for a minor public order offence. On Tuesday, in a post that appears to have been taken down, Shi posted: “Why should HOUSE be banned? Aren’t all soldier brothers just dog brothers?” Li later apologised on Weibo, which is strictly monitored and censored, and said he felt “deeply guilty and regretful” about the joke, before his account was suspended. Related hashtags were viewed more than 2bn times, with some comments supportive of the comic. “We will never allow any company or individual use the Chinese capital as a stage to wantonly slander the glorious image of the PLA,” China’s ministry of culture and tourism bureau said. After an audio recording of the joke went viral, Beijing police launched an investigation under a 2021 law which criminalised insulting China’s military, the People’s Liberation Army. Shi’s post was in reaction to the stiff punishment delivered to Li Haoshi, also known as House, over a joke about two dogs chasing a squirrel reminding him of one of Xi Jinping’s military slogan.
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