China to ban striptease performances at funerals

Chinese officials are launching a campaign to crack down on stripteases and other lewd shows that have become popular at funerals in some rural areas, the Ministry of Culture said.

The ministry said it will tighten control over rural culture, where “vulgar” performances have been thriving because of a general lack of cultural events.

Such erotic performances at funerals are a relatively new phenomenon. Many rural people believe that a large attendance at funerals is a sign of honour for the deceased, and the shows are used to attract mourners.

In the last several months, people who have returned to their rural homes for funerals have complained on social media about lewd shows, as troupes hired to play dirges change their tune and began to strip. The ministry cited a performance by six strippers at a funeral in the northern province of Hebei and a lewd show by three performers at a funeral in the eastern province of Jiangsu. Those responsible for vulgar acts will be punished, it said.

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