China 'bans' Lady Gaga over Dalai Lama meeting
The meeting between American pop singer Lady Gaga and the Dalai Lama has angered the Chinese government and her fans in mainland China. /Courtesy of Lady Gaga’s Instagram
By Lee Jin-a
China has reportedly “banned” American singer Lady Gaga after she met the Dalai Lama, according to the Guardian.
The outlet said the American pop singer met the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader on Sunday in Indianapolis to talk about human rights, kindness and compassion.
But the encounter has angered the Chinese government and fans in mainland China.
“The Communist Party issued an instruction banning her entire repertoire from mainland China,” the Guardian said. “Chinese websites and media organizations were ordered to stop uploading or distributing her songs.”
Beijing also reportedly ordered state-owned news outlets to criticize the meeting.
“I’m unfollowing Lady Gaga right now,” posted one user of Weibo, a Chinese social networking service. “National interest is above all idols.”
“I’m really disappointed,” posted another. “I loved Lady Gaga for her outspoken character and achievements. But now I realize she doesn’t care about Chinese fans’ feelings at all. All these years’ love for her is in vain.”
The Dalai Lama fled to India in March 1959 after a failed uprising against the Chinese government. Since then, Beijing considers the Dalai Lama a dangerous separatist who wants to split Tibet from China to establish a theocratic government. But the monk insists he is merely asking for more autonomy for the Himalayan region.