China fines comedy troupe $2m for joke about the People’s Liberation Army

Punishment of US$2 million for making jokes about the People’s Liberation Army by a Chinese comedy ensemble

Performing in Beijing has been prohibited for an undetermined period of time for Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media after a comedian made fun of the army at a show there.

After a stand-up comedian last week made fun of the People’s Liberation Army, a Chinese entertainment group received a severe financial fine and had its shows in the capital suspended.
The Beijing City Cultural and Tourism Regulator ordered Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media to forfeit 1.3 million yuan ($186,000) in earnings from performances in the capital and fined the company 13 million yuan (US$1.9 million), the regulator stated in a notification released on Wednesday.