China has outlawed “effeminate” behaviour on TV and actors seen to have “incorrect politics” have disappeared from the screens.
Alongside the harsh new rules for television shows, President Xi Jinping called for a "national rejuvenation" with more Communist Party control of different aspects of life – including education and religion.
Top Chinese officials have already slammed rules on music and gaming onto their population.
But now, the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) says it is tightening its grip on TV, reports Reuters.
Sections of the state have slammed male stars who wear make-up and show their feminine image, claiming Chinese men should be manly.
Officials also said punishments should be increased for actors who have been involved in illegal or unethical behaviour.
An NRTA notice said shows with "effeminate" behaviour or "warped" content should be stopped.
The crackdown includes shows about scandals, flamboyant wealth, and “vulgar” internet celebrities.
"Unhealthy fan culture should be deterred and strict controls placed on programmes with voting segments, and any that encourage fans to spend money to vote should be forbidden," the notice said.
One prominent actor, billionaire Zhao Wei – who sings pop songs and has won awards for her films – has been culled.
The Chinese star disappeared from streaming sites with no explanation.
Even her online credits have vanished and she is no longer visible on all major video platforms.
Zhao was targeted in the state-controlled Global Times newspaper last weekend and accused of "been entangled in various scandals over the years".
Some Chinese A-listers have had to sit through government-planned courses that teach the Communist Parties history.
Others have carried out “self-criticism” and told other celebrities they need to be more responsible to society.
Stars Zhou Dongyu and Du Jiang claimed at an event in Beijing that some entertainers were risking becoming “slaves of the market” and hit out at those who had “crossed the bottom line”.
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They said: "(We should) bravely scale artistic heights under the leadership of the Communist Party!".
It comes following officials slashing the amount of time kids are allowed to play video games to just three hours each week.
The Communist leaders also want to introduce a system called Social Credit in order to track individuals and companies in China and punish them when they see fit.
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