Hong Kong singer Su Yongkang was originally scheduled to hold a concert in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China on October 6. However, as netizens resurfaced his drug scandal from 23 years ago, a wave of boycotts emerged and the concert was directly canceled. In response, state media outlet People's Daily Online published an article on the 17th regarding this matter, stating: "Canceling Su Yongkang's concert is necessary, and further legal accountability in accordance with laws and regulations is also necessary."
The whole incident originated from the countdown to Su Yongkang's concert, when netizens dug up his 2002 scandal involving using drugs with actress Anya in a Taipei bar and being sent to a detention center for mandatory rehab, demanding that the relevant authorities cancel the concert. Although the Longwan District Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports claimed the performance had passed examination and been approved, the boycott wave could not be stopped; ticketing platforms took down Su Yongkang's concert and the performance had to be canceled.
On the 17th, People's Daily Online published a commentary titled "Just Canceling Su Yongkang's Concert Is Not Enough, Accountability Is Also Needed," stating that similar cases have occurred more than once. Su Yongkang has held concerts in other Chinese cities in the past two years. The deeper issues touched upon by such a "broken window effect" cannot be ignored: "Canceling Su Yongkang's concert is necessary; further accountability according to laws and regulations is also necessary. Only in this way can we serve as a warning to others and create a deterrent effect." "Drug prohibition is the shared responsibility of the entire society; performers should even more strictly abide by laws and regulations, respect social morality, cherish their public image, and truly win fans' love and respect through both virtue and artistic achievement. Once involved in drugs, one must bear the due consequences."
News source: China Times News Network