China to ban karaoke songs with 'illegal content'

China will ban karaoke songs perceived to "endanger national security", as state controls attempt to muzzle the mics of a KTV-obsessed nation.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism said it will establish a blacklist of banned songs with "illegal content", such as endangering national security and unity, inciting ethnic hatred, or promoting cults, gambling and crime.

China regularly removes songs deemed to be "politically incorrect" from domestic music streaming services.

The rules are due to come into effect on 1 October.

Other songs that are set to be banned include those which:

• Incite ethnic hatred and ethnic discrimination

• Endanger national security or harm national honour and interests

• Violate the state's religious policies

• Propagate obscenity, gambling, violence and other criminal activities

China has more than 50,000 "song and dance entertainment" venues across the country, according to the ministry.

It added that it was difficult for venue operators to identify illegal songs, given that some had music libraries of more than 100,000 songs - which was why they were encouraging content providers to take more responsibility.

This is not the first time China has banned songs from karaoke venues.

As reported by the South China Morning Post, Angeli Datt, senior research analyst for China, Hong Kong and Taiwan at Freedom House, noted the ban was being proposed straight after the governing party’s centenary celebrations, timing which she regards as no coincidence.

In recent months, as per reports, the Communist government had published live streaming to video platforms for hosting content it considers 'low taste.'

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