Several planned concerts in China by Hong Kong Cantopop idol William So Wing-hong have been cancelled following a public backlash over his past drug involvement, reigniting debate around whether artists convicted of drug offences are allowed to re-enter the spotlight.
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The incident has drawn strong criticism from the Communist Party mouthpiece, People’s Daily, which argued that cancelling the concerts alone was not sufficient and called for legal accountability from those responsible for approving the event.
“The authority and values of the relevant departments are heavily questioned, and public trust is inevitably eroded,” according to a commentary published on Wednesday.
“Cancelling So’s concert is necessary, and holding those accountable is also essential. Only by taking these actions can we serve as a warning to others and create a deterrent effect.”
It wrote that drugs were a public nuisance to society, and drug prevention efforts were crucial for “national security, the country’s prosperity and the well-being of the people”.
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