China to crack down on exotic dancers at village funerals

State media have said burlesque shows at some funerals aim to draw more mourners and show off the family’s wealth, in a practice that is infrequent, although gaining in popularity.

In a notice on its website, the ministry called for a “black list” of people and workplaces that engage in such shows.

It singled out a group of burlesque dancers, the Red Rose Song and Dance Troupe, who did a strip-tease after the small-town funeral of an elderly person in the northern province of Hebei in February.

The group took off their clothes after performing a traditional song-and-dance routine, the ministry said.

One leader of Red Rose, surnamed Li, was punished with 15 days in detention and a fine of 70,000 yuan ($11,300) after law enforcement officials intervened. – Reuters