A popular comedian, actor, household name, and regime mouthpiece in China, Uncle Benshan, is apparently on an imminent collision course with a nationwide anti-corruption campaign. Netizens and Chinese media are speculating about what’s to become of Uncle Benshan.
Also known by his real name, Zhao Benshan is best known for his regular appearances in the state-run CCTV’s New Year’s Gala from 1990 to 2011. He has also long been known to be an entertainer who serves the aims of the Chinese regime’s ideology.
“If you are neither politically engaged nor a believer in our Party, what’s the point of getting involved in the arts?” Zhao said in an interview with the Chinese news website The Paper on Nov. 1.
A day later, on Dec. 28, an article titled, “Can Zhao Survive With the Ongoing Rampant Rumors” appeared on the Weixin account of the overseas edition of state-run People’s Daily. Weixin is a Chinese-language instant messaging service.
The article mentioned Zhao’s noticeable absences from two art conferences—one in his hometown of Liaoning and another in Beijing hosted by the Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping.
It indicated that Zhao had fallen out of the mainstream in China’s cultural circles and had basically put himself inside a cage, according to the article.
While some Chinese netizens have reacted to the speculation with much sarcasm, others warn the current political climate in China is too risky.
On the social media site freeweibo.com A netizen with the moniker “Shi-Bao-Xiang-Ge” posted, “Uncle Benshan, it’s no surprise that it is your turn.”
Another netizen with the name “Luo Wenbin” said, “As long as the CCP is ruling in China, one should not get too involved in politics. The water is too deep and too dark—they are a pack of wolves.”
