Beijing Clamps Down on Dance Halls
Beijing published regulations Friday to control hundreds of small music and dance halls in China’s capital, some of the few places where dissidents and intellectuals could gather in the wake of last June’s crackdown on pro-democracy activities.
The halls where patrons sing along “karaoke” style, listen to performers or dance the waltz and fox trot must now be run by approved people and get permission from authorities, according to the rules which appeared in the Beijing daily newspaper.
The new regulations say songs and music played must now either be distributed by the state or approved by authorities. Performers and singers must also be approved.
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