They should be expecting the move. For those be surprised, I doubt they know what they are doing?
I respect those "knowing what they are doing", and willing to accept the consequences, regardless whether they have same position as mine.
Stars backing HK protesters pay a price on the mainland
BEIJING — On the night of Oct 4, at one of the largest pro-democracy rallies in Hong Kong to date, Ms Denise Ho, a local pop singer, performed a new song, Raise The Umbrella, a reference to the ubiquitous umbrellas protesters have used to ward off pepper spray. Tens of thousands waved their lighted mobile phones in the air, the crowd ecstatic.
But it is unlikely that Ms Ho will be singing that song in mainland China, where, she said the other day, she gets about 80 per cent of her income, mostly from performances. She has had no invitations to perform there since the summer, when she began publicly showing support for the pro-democracy movement. A fashion brand recently cancelled a job with her, giving no particular reason, she said.
Mr Anthony Wong, another Hong Kong singer who has joined the pro-democracy demonstrations, said two shows next month in mainland China had been “indefinitely postponed” by concert organisers and that he had no pending invitations to perform there.
“I’m just guessing, but I think they are trying to ban us because they’re afraid of different views,” Mr Wong said. “They fear that we would spread them. And of course it’s an attempt to punish us, a cold-shoulder treatment of sorts, so we can’t earn their money.”
Mr Wong, Ms Ho and other artistic figures from Hong Kong and Taiwan — including actors such as Mr Chow Yun-Fat and Mr Tony Leung, and film-maker Shu Kei — have been among the most recognisable faces and voices during the protests that have occupied parts of the city for weeks. Some have spoken at rallies and mingled with students; others have used their social media accounts to express support for the demonstrators.
Before the protests, initially led by a movement called Occupy Central With Love and Peace, the names and faces of these performers were featured regularly on stages and screens in the mainland, as well as in advertisements. But now, they are being shunned by fans and companies in mainland China, on whose support many of their careers depend.
Arms of China’s state-run news media have denounced them as disloyal to their country. Photographs of a list containing the names of Mr Wong, Ms Ho and other artistes were circulated on social media this week. The list was said to be a blacklist of pro-Occupy artistes that had been sent to mainland news media outlets and entertainment firms, with instructions not to mention or promote the stars.
“Regardless of how official the bans might be, they can always achieve the same result by scaring off people or companies who might otherwise want to approach us,” said Ms Ho, who was camping out this week beneath an overpass near Hong Kong’s government headquarters, amid a sea of tents.
In a commentary published on Wednesday, state news agency Xinhua delivered a rebuke to celebrities backing the protests, hinting at further consequences to come.
“You have violated the principles of ‘one country, two systems,’ challenged the authority of the central party, ignored the Basic Law, and earned fistfuls of cash only to then turn and scold your motherland,” said the commentary, singling out Ms Ho, Mr Wong and Hong Kong actor Chapman To, who have been among the most visible celebrities at the protest sites. “Is this how you treat the country that gave birth to you and raised you?”
Even with the prospect of future reprisals, however, some celebrities, such as Mr Wong, who joined the campaign after he saw the police use tear gas on the protesters, have vowed to continue supporting the movement.
“It affects us a lot because much of my income comes from China, about more than half,” he said. “But I think this is what we have to do. Our markets there and money aren’t more important than our need to speak our mind.” THE NEW YORK TIMES
http://www.todayonline.com/chinaindia/ch...e-mainland
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