On December 12, 2021, one day before China's National Memorial Day (a remembrance day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre in 1937 by the Imperial Japanese Army), local people in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu Province, mourn the victims of the massacre. On December 13, 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing. In the following six weeks, they slaughtered more than 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II. Photo: VCG

More than 100 fan groups on Chinese social media have suspended entertainment activities on Monday to mark China's National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims, a remembrance day for the victims of the mass murder and rape committed by the Imperial Japanese Army in Nanjing in 1937.

On China' Twitter-like social media platform Sina Weibo, a prominent space for fan culture, many fan groups supporting celebrities ranging from China's TFBoys to well-known comedians encouraged their members to refrain from posting entertainment-related content to mark the day. Many fan groups for K-pop stars such as Blackpink also joined the announcement.

"On this special day when we respect the dead and mourn our compatriots who died during the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, please do not publish entertainment content related to celebrities on online platforms," many fan groups posted on Sina Weibo.

A national memorial ceremony was held at the Memorial Hall of the Victims of Nanjing Massacre in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, at 10 am on Monday. Sirens were sounded, the national anthem played and the national flag raised at half-mast.

The day was designated by China's top legislature in 2014.

As for fan culture, China' s top authorities have been trying to find ways to improve the fan industry and get it back on track since May, as Chinese netizens are more fed up than ever with the behavior of maniacal fans.

In July, two suspects were detained for secretly installing a tracking device on Chinese actor Wang Yibo's car and illegally selling Wang's location for profit to fans.

The government has introduced a string of measures including regulations aimed at reducing frenzied idol worship among underage fans and establishing a negative list for celebrities that promote distorted values. Accused sex offender Kris Wu and Japanese Yasukuni Shrine visitor Zhang Zhehan have both been placed on the list. 

Global Times