Not content to scrub photos of Putin looking too cozy with their first lady, Chinese authorities are apparently cracking down on racy online videos—like all the good television you can stream on your computer, for instance.
That’s according to the Hollywood Reporter, which says the State General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television ruled recently that several things are verboten, including “scenes of one-night stands, extramarital affairs, partner-swapping and excessive physical contact,” as well as:
…scenes of sexual abuse, partner-swapping, flirtation, rape, incest, necrophilia, prostitution, sexual perversion and masturbation.
Scenes showing murder, gore, suicide, kidnapping, drug abuse, gambling, ghostly scenes or “excessive horror” must be cut, while racy subtitles, headlines or anything containing reference to sex or nudity are also out.
Now, these aren’t necessarily new rules, but it’s all part of an ongoing push against pornography. For instance, the government says its shut down 1.8 million social networking and IM accounts as part of the campaign. But of course, this is likely to inspire rather more griping: “You can’t make people over 30 watch something for ten-year-olds,” said one commenter.
The Hollywood Reporter drolly adds that, “It was not clear what this regulation means for shows such as Game of Thrones, The Good Wife or indeed pretty much any U.S. TV show that currently streams in China.” Oh, America.
Photo via HBO.