China spooked by Hong Kong's films By Stefan Hammond:

Despite decades of economic and social reform, the mainland maintains a cinematic nix-list: nudity, homosexuality, extramarital affairs and supernatural themes all remain verboten.

Why is Beijing so concerned about ghosts and goblins? Politically, secret societies based on arcane beliefs have posed threats to China's power structure for centuries. Socially, the shift toward a modern culture has motivated Beijing to create a list of 'approved' religions and conveniently prohibit all else.

I didn't really believe this. Pu Songling's 蒲松齡 Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio 聊斋志异 is considered a major work of literature, but according to Chinese reports, the Chinese authorities (the "Cinema Administrative Bureau" 电影局) have nixed a recent effort to film one of the stories from it: "The Painted Skin" 画皮 (pdf available in Giles' English translation here with Pu's commentary omitted), even though it looked to be a major production, starring Zhang Ziyi 章子怡.


Gweilo Diaries links to this screed from the Commies smearing Anson Chan, including this tidbit:

The deeds of this so-called "Hong Kong conscience", who disregards facts and violates conscience, are like the classic story of Hua Pi in "Strange Tales from a Lonely Studio" - full of evil tricks.