Xi Jinping Jokes Fail To Amuse Beijing As Uncle Roger 'Disappears' From Chinese Twitter

In a clash of comedy and censorship, Malaysian comedian Nigel Ng, popularly known by his stage name "Uncle Roger," has reportedly found himself at odds with China's strict control over online expression.

What Happened: Ng has been banned from China's Twitter-like social media platform Weibo, just days after he shared clips from a live show where he said his jokes on Beijing's heavily censored politics and Chinese President Xi Jinping might land him in trouble, reported CNN.

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Last week, Ng uploaded a trailer of his new show on Twitter, where he was seen joking about China's surveillance state and playfully urging the Chinese Communist Party not to "make him disappear." Accompanying the clip, he wrote, "Uncle Roger about to get canceled."

Days later, his account on Weibo was banned. The page displayed a message stating that the ban was "due to the violation of relevant laws and regulations," without providing further details, stated the report.

Ng's full stand-up show, scheduled for video release on June 4, coincides with the anniversary of the notorious 1989 crackdown on democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square. This date holds immense sensitivity for Chinese authorities, adding another layer of significance to Ng's upcoming release.

Why It Matters: Amid growing scrutiny, Ng's suspension sheds light on Beijing's perspective towards comedy and its intensified crackdown on individuals who dare to cross political boundaries, stated the report.

Recently, Chinese comedian Li Haoshi faced severe repercussions after making a light-hearted reference to the army in one of his jokes.

These incidents underscore the increasingly narrow boundaries for political humor in China and the risk faced by comedians who venture into sensitive territory.

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Photo by Albin Olsson on Wikimedia Commons