In a now-removed Weibo post, a writer who writes for comedy shows said that a company that approached her last year sent her a long list of taboo topics. It included senior Party leaders, officials, extramarital affairs, homosexuality, gambling, poverty and the pandemic. Then there was a series of meetings to discuss the potential impact of the jokes – how sensitive was it? Who could be offended? The scripts were then sent to relevant departments, but officials would not say much, or even make clear recommendations.
