‘Funeral strippers’: China launches crackdown on erotic dancers at wakes
Ministry of Culture launches telephone hotlines with rewards for snitches

China has launched a crackdown on so-called funeral strippers, offering people cash rewards for information on “obscene performances”.
Evolving from the ancient practice of hiring performers for funerals and weddings, the phenomenon of “funeral strippers” emerged in rural areas of China in the 1990s, where they were employed to entertain mourners.
The practice has long been criticised by the authorities, who first began clamping down on “obscene” performances in 2006 and in 2015 banned them entirely.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Despite numerous attempts to stamp out the practice, it has remained a regular feature of many rural funerals. The Global Times describes strippers as a “modern part” of many rural events.
One reason may be that “some communities in rural China reportedly believe that bigger attendances at funerals help to honour the dead and bring them good fortune”, while others say erotic shows pay tribute to fertility, says The Daily Telegraph.
But now it appears the authorities have tried a more capitalist approach, setting up telephone hotlines in 19 cities across four provinces that offer people cash incentives for information on “funeral misdeeds”.
Chinese state media has often chosen to blame the shows on the West, as Chinese families have become increasing decadent and materialistic.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Xinhua news agency said in 2015 that exotic performances highlight “the trappings of modern life in China, whereby vanity and snobbery prevail over traditions”.
-
October 13 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Monday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's consolation prize, government workers during shutdown, and more
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
The Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being released
The Explainer Triumphant Donald Trump addresses the Israeli parliament as families on both sides of the Gaza war reunite with their loved ones
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations