Since Xi Jinping took power in China, the nation has undergone a radical change in culture and politics. The Chinese Communist Party-ruled government is currently cracking down harder than ever before on the entertainment industry, evidently in order to reshape it in line with Xi Jinping Thought. According to at least one industry insider, that crackdown may impact the likes of international stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

A small-time Chinese director, Zhou Guogang, worried followers on social media when he listed Chan and Li -- along with other Chinese celebrities who hold foreign passports -- as potential victims of the ongoing shift in the industry. "You should run. The house may come down on you next month," Zhou warned in a video. While his claims cannot be verified, his followers believe him credible due to his involvement in the industry.

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Additionally, several Chinese celebrities across the globe have acted in response to the crackdown after finding their names on a rumored "reorganization list" from the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA). These celebrities include Hong Kong star Nicholas Tse, who holds a Canadian passport. Other names reported to be on the list include Liu Yifei, who starred in Disney's live-action Mulan. It is thought Tse's actions may prompt other celebrities to renounce foreign citizenship.

These actions are not completely unwarranted. Chinese actor Zhao Wei, who has frequently been mentioned in tabloids over the years, was recently scrubbed from Chinese websites and media without reason. While it was reported that she had traveled to France, a now-deleted Instagram video suggested that this was in fact untrue. For decades, celebrities gaining citizenship abroad have been the subjects of scandal. This includes Gong Li and Jet Li, who both hold Singaporean passports; Liu Yifei, who holds an American passport; and others. Since China does not recognize dual citizenship, these foreign citizenships are often perceived as a form of abandonment of China and Chinese culture.

Incidentally, Jackie Chan has consistently expressed support for the Chinese Communist Party and has frequently acted to defend it. Speaking at a symposium, the actor recently voiced his desire to become a member of the CCP, stating, "I'm jealous that you are CCP members. The CCP is really great... The CCP's promises don't take 100 years, they are fulfilled in decades... I want to be a CCP member."

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One of the reasons provided for the recent pressure on the industry is celebrity culture and the tendency to, as state media puts it, make celebrities out of "unworthy individuals." It is worth noting that 2021 has seen the celebration of the Chinese Communist Party's centennial, which prompted the party to reinforce its image both at home and abroad, going so far as to demand that cinemas screen at least two films celebrating the CCP every week.

Furthermore, the NRTA recently dictated that "effeminate styles" will be removed from television and that it will enforce a "correct beauty standard." In addition, all media will shift to promote "traditional Chinese culture, revolutionary culture and socialist culture."

Film and television are not the only media forms affected. Chinese authorities, in conjunction with businesses, imposed limits on how minors spend their free time through a ban on video gaming during weekdays. The government's actions have resulted in a strong response from the younger generation in the form of various movements, such as "lying flat."

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Source: BBC, Variety, Newsweek