After the “The Time Travel Ban”, “Korean Ban”, “The Effeminate Ban, the Chinese National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) has now released a new restriction on artists from foreign countries including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.  This new ban forbids anyone coming from these three areas and outside of China to be a host or emcee on television, radio, or the internet.

Part of this ban also introduces a regulation on any foreign entertainers, directors, main stars, and even guests, that participate in Chinese films or television shows to be reviewed for compliance.  Every half a year, producers must report to the Head of the State Administration of Radio and Television on the use of any foreigners in their productions.

In addition, anyone who is classified as pro-Hong Kong independence, pro-Taiwan independence, or has a criminal record will not be allowed to join any mainland China productions.  The SART gets tricky again with a separate rule for true foreigners.

• 1. Foreigners who serve as the creative staff in a mainland Chinese production cannot exceed 1/5 of the total head count within one category.  
• 2. The screenwriter and the director of a mainland Chinese production cannot both be foreigners.  The male and female leads also cannot be foreigners in the same mainland Chinese production.
• 3. The creative staff on weekly variety shows on any distribution channel cannot exceed 1/5 of the total head count within one category. 

These new regulations aren’t set in stone as of yet.  They are being introduced as “recommendations.”  However, if this is passed, a lot of current Hong Kong and Taiwan entertainers (Angelababy, Nicholas Tse, Wong Cho Lam, Kevin Tsai, Dee Hsu, etc) earning RMB in mainland China would be impacted.

Wong Cho Lam, who has skyrocketed in China these past few years, said, “Mainland hosts have to get a license.  I need to improve my Mandarin first.  My role has always been a fixed guest when filming shows.”  In Baidu, it lists him as a “fixed host” for “Keep Running”, the Chinese version of the Korean variety show, “Running Man.”

Mickey Huang (黃子佼), popular Taiwanese host, says, “I’ve always behaved and done my part.  Wherever there is a stage, I will try my best there.  

Oudi (歐弟), another Taiwanese entertainer who is a long term host in China, replies through his manager saying, “My job right now is a guest, not a host.  I have no opinion on the regulation.”  

Will future variety shows only have “fixed guests” and “guests” and no hosts? 

Credit: Apple Daily (1, 2),  hk.on.cc