In brief
Comedian Chizi, formerly a star in China, was banned in 2023 for jokes about sensitive topics. He has since returned to the stage in 2026, touring major cities in Asia and beyond while keeping his political material carefully circumscribed. His shows have sold out in cities like Taipei, Singapore, Tokyo, and Kuala Lumpur, and he plans to expand to Australia, New Zealand and North America.
After a 2023 ban that barred him from performing in mainland China, stand‑up star Chizi returned to the stage in 2026, launching a sell‑out tour across Taipei, Singapore, Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur. The Chinese‑speaking comedian, whose real name is Wang Yuechi, has carefully circumscribed his jokes to avoid direct references to politics while still drawing laughter from thousands of fans.
At the National University of Singapore, he opened with a joke that hinted at the long tenure of President Xi Jinping. The crowd cheered, though his material avoided naming him outright, showing Chizi’s skill at walking a fine line with censorship.
In April, the 30‑year‑old rescheduled a tour that includes Tokyo, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, each venue selling out after he returned from a hiatus. He said that his performances are meant “to introduce myself, to show people how I live or think as someone who lived in China for 30 years.”
Chizi’s background includes a stint on China’s highest‑rated talk show where he gained national fame, but he also faced repeated censorship: tweets were deleted, his Weibo account was edited, and eventually his name was removed from public listings. He has described the experience as “increasingly hostile.”
In interviews, Chizi admitted he intends to keep the political humor delicate, yet he still shares the “things I can’t say” in his personal notes. He believes the freedom of comedy is limited in China, and performs instead for audiences outside Beijing where he can laugh without fear.
His upcoming plans include shows in Australia, New Zealand and North America. He expressed that “usually you make friends one by one, but on stage I feel like I’m making 500 friends at once.”
