Comedian Uncle Roger Silenced on Chinese Social Media After Jokes About China

China has pulled the plug on the online accounts of Malaysian-born comedian Nigel Ng – more widely known as “Uncle Roger” – supposedly over a video mocking China’s so-called surveillance state, as well as its policy towards Taiwan.

Ng lost his account on the Twitter-like Chinese platform Weibo, where he now has over 400,000 followers.

Weibo said the account was “currently in a state of being muted”, citing “violations of relevant laws and regulations”.

Ng’s homepage on the Chinese video site Bilibili was also placed “under suspension”.

The two online media sites did not offer details to explain their actions against Ng.

But online sleuths said “Uncle Roger” was probably cancelled because of a video he posted on Twitter teasing a show set to air on June 4.

In the video, Ng could be seen talking to a member of the audience who said he was from Guangzhou province in China.]

Ng then made a face and, in a mocking tone, said: “China, good country, good country.”

“We have to say that now, correct?” he went on, before taking a jab at the Chinese government and its reportedly massive surveillance network meant to mute criticisms and dissent.

He alluded to accusations that Beijing uses mobile phones and communications hardware made by Chinese firms like Huawei to spy on the population.

“All the phone listening… His nephew got Huawei phone. They all listening. All our phones, tap into it: Long live President Xi,” he said, referring to the Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Taiwan ‘not a real country’ He then pivoted towards Beijing’s “one China” policy.

“Not a real country,” he said, as the audience, picking up on the sarcasm, laughed.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC China fines comedy company $2.8 million over army joke Namewee, Kimberley Chen blocked on Weibo after releasing satirical duet Seemingly sensing what was about to happen, Ng predicted: “Uncle Roger gonna get cancelled after tonight.”

“Go write good report for Uncle Roger,” he told his audience. “Dear CCP, Uncle Roger good comrade, Don’t make him disappear, please.”

This wasn’t the first time the Britain-based Ng landed in hot water for straying into China’s radar.

In 2021, he was criticised for deleting a video he made with the popular American food blogger Mike Chen.

The two did not talk about anything political in the video, which saw them poking fun at one food presenter’s attempt to make dumplings.

But Chen has frequently criticised China, excoriating Beijing for purported human rights abuses in Hong Kong and against the Uighur Muslim minority.

Ng’s decision to delete the video with Chen was seen as him caving in to a flurry of criticisms from China.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC Popular Chinese livestreamer Li Jiaqi goes silent after showing 'tank cake' before Tiananmen anniversary Singer Hebe Tien back on Weibo after flap over spaghetti picture post Beijing’s not laughing Beijing usually does not find it funny when comedians make jokes at its expense.

This week, Chinese comedian Li Haoshi, whose stage name is House, was arrested after he poked fun at a military slogan, comparing the Chinese army to dogs chasing a squirrel.

The company that hired him for an event in Beijing was fined 14.7 million yuan (S$2.8 million).

“Other dogs you see would make you think they are adorable. These two dogs only reminded me of ‘Fight to win, forge exemplary conduct’,” said Li.

He currently has close to 8 million subscribers on YouTube, which is banned in China.

Ng’s online reach exploded when his alter ego, Uncle Roger, which he portrays as a middle-aged curmudgeon, railed as BBC food presenter Hersha Patel made fried rice by boiling, straining and running tap water over her rice.

Nigel Ng is a Malaysia standup who lives in England, but he's best known for his persona "Uncle Roger" who is a older Asian man, who mostly critiques cooking videos of (mostly) Asia food.

He did a routine in that persona recently where he sarcastically criticized some Taiwanese and praise Xi and China. I guess they did get the sarcasm:

China Has Banned Uncle Roger On Social Media After He Joked About Xi Jinping And Surveillance (Video of standup act.)
For what it's worth I think it's a brilliant bit. (This is not his real accent,)

I have been watching Nigel for a few years now. Very Funny guy.
His act is twofold, standup comic and alter ego. His alter ego is Uncle Roger. I find his alter ego to be more to my liking. Uncle Roger is a Laugh Riot.
He obviously was aware his comedy regarding the CCP was going to get him banned. He simply didn’t give a damn.

Yeah, he seemed like he didn’t care. I watched his stand-up video a couple nights ago after watching his Uncle Rodger videos. Fun videos. Cory B. is very funny, too.

Oh yeah, I abuse the keywords.

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