A popular former China Central Television (CCTV) host severely breached political discipline after he was exposed in a video making disrespectful remarks about the late chairman Mao Zedong in April, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) said Sunday.
According to the SAPPRFT statement, the authorities are highly concerned with the case of Bi making fun of the former State leader. It also said that the authorities think that Bi's violation is more serious than general misconduct. The SAPPRFT has ordered CCTV to "seriously handle" the case, and to warn its staff from repeating the mistakes.
In April, Bi Fujian was seen in the video singing parts of Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy, an iconic play created during the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), featuring a Communist soldier who disguised as a bandit to infiltrate local bandits in Tiger Mountain in Northeast China.
He also used insults to describe the late chairman Mao Zedong, saying that Mao led people to misery. And the footage quickly ignited lively online discussions.
"I feel guilty and sorry for my comments which left a negative impact on society. I hereby offer to the public my deepest regrets. As a public figure, I have learned my lesson and will observe self-discipline," Bi said on his Sina Weibo in April.
The video received over 100,000 comments within an hour after it was posted to Sina Weibo, a popular social media platform, on April 6.
Bi's title as an ambassador of a national education project was revoked for "causing irrevocably baneful influence" on students in the project.
After the video sparked an intense online debate, CCTV announced that Bi would be suspended for four days, pending investigation, and the matter would be handled "seriously," as his remarks had had a "major social impact."
Bi has been replaced by another host in a talent show he used to host on CCTV, according to news portal sina.com.cn.
CCTV has recently said it would "seriously handle" the matter in line with related regulations and based on its investigation.
