BEIJING (AP) – A popular Chinese television celebrity apologized Thursday night for insulting the founder of Communist China, after his remarks at a private dinner caused a stir in China and rekindled debate on the complicated legacy of the revolutionary figure.
Bi Fujian, the host of the talent show “Avenue of Stars” at the state broadcaster China Central Television, issued the apology on his personal microblog that has 1.3 million followers.
“I feel extremely guilty, and my heart aches,” Bi wrote. “I sincerely expressed my deep apology to the public.” Bi said, as a public figure, he would draw a lesson and better discipline himself.
In a home video that circulated widely online before censors removed it this week, Bi apparently was amusing his audience at a private dinner by singing a revolutionary song about Communist Party-led soldiers battling bandits in northeastern China in the 1940s.
To the laughter of guests, Bi adds his own commentary in a speaking voice between lines.