In the wake of one of the most controversial censoring in the country, China's TV regulating bureau explains that it was the "unhealthy images" that led to the revision of the Chinese drama "The Empress of China."
According to the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, the historical epic drama about the country's only female emperor starring internationally acclaimed Chinese actress Fan Bingbing contained "unhealthy images" which were later removed from the show.
"We received many complaints from viewers after the TV series began airing, saying there were some unhealthy images for minors, among other problems," Tian Jin, the regulator's deputy director, stated during a press conference.
According to Tian, the group had conducted an investigation where they reportedly found out that the show lacked editing.
He also explained that the broadcaster as well as the program's producer had been properly penalized and were ordered to have the program re-edited according to regulation standards before airing it again.
"Our artistic works, films and TV dramas should all promote China's core values and pass on positive energy and good and true ideas," he added.
Before the bureau's statement, rumors circulated that the reported suspension of the drama, which was also known as the "Saga of Wu Zetian," was because of the female casts' revealing costumes.
Upon its return on New Year's Day, the re-edit has been obvious, showing only close-up shots on the characters' faces instead of the actresses' "low-cut necklines and prominent breasts," the China Entertainment reported.
This, however, received 95-percent disapproval among netizens who responded to a survey conducted by Sina Weibo, China's Twitter-like microblogging site.
"This drama shows not only the beauty of the human body, but also the beauty of Tang dynasty style. Now you are showing only the characters' heads?" one netizen commented.