The Chinese government has said that it will not allow artists who "threaten national unity", "advocate obscenity or feudalism and superstition" or who "violate religious policy or cultural norms" to play in the country. Also banned will be any artists who have attended events that "threaten national sovereignty" or who "whip up ethnic hatred". Basically they don't want anyone who may say or do anything vaguely anti-government. How did these guys get the Olympics again?
The tightening up of the rules regarding who is allowed to perform in China follows Bjork's previously reported shouting of "Tibet, Tibet" while singing her song 'Declare Independence' at a gig in Shanghai earlier this year, and also comes amid fears in China that the Beijing Olympics will be hijacked by those who oppose the government there.
A posting on the country's culture ministry's website reads: "Any artistic group or individual who have ever engaged in activities which threaten our national sovereignty will not be allowed in".