What Do Bjork, Jay-Z, Miley Cyrus and Oasis All Have In Common?
They’ve all been banned from China. Check out the reasons why below.
Björk
Country in Question: China
Guilty of: No stranger to controversy in foreign lands (remember that attack on a reporter in Thailand?), the eccentric Icelandic chanteuse was told in 2008 that she was no longer welcome in China after dedicating her performance of the song ‘Declare Independence’ in Shanghai to the campaign for freedom in Tibet. That didn’t go down too well with the Chinese authorities and the Ministry of Culture issued a statement promising to deny entry to any artist “engaged in activities which threaten our national sovereignty.”
Jay-Z
Country in Question: China
Guilty of: Vulgar lyrics, deem the furrowed brows of the Politburo in Beijing, having given the rapper’s lyrics the once-over before his planned Shanghai show in 2006. The Ministry of Culture pronounced his rhymes too offensive for the tender ears of the People’s Republic’s youth. Any band planning to play the country has to provide lyrics so that officials can make sure nothing too inflammatory gets played. That’s a little more compromising than a Parental Advisory sticker.
Miley Cyrus
Country in Question: China
Guilty of: In 2009, Cyrus, caught making a slanted eyes pose, caused an Internet storm and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the People’s Republic of China to forbid the ‘Hannah Montana‘ star from entering the country. All broadcasts of her TV show, films and the sale of her merchandise were also halted, whilst Cyrus issued a fervent apology, saying, “I have learned a valuable lesson from this and know that sometimes my actions can be unintentionally hurtful.”
Oasis
Country in Question: China
Guilty of: The Chinese government is, it appears, a little sensitive about Tibet, which China occupied after a brief struggle in 1950. It certainly doesn’t like pop stars throwing their muscle behind Tibetan independence. Oasis found this out in 2009 when gigs planned for Shanghai and Beijing were pulled after officials discovered Noel Gallagher had played a Free Tibet concert in the US in 1997. Of course, that’s the official reason: Perhaps the Chinese authorities believe ComradeDamon Albarn really is the red sun in the heart of every worker
