China bans actors linked to drugs, prostitution

(ANSA) - Beijing, October 9 - Actors who have used drugs or visited prostitutes are to be banned from making screen appearances in a bid to clean up the industry, China's media watchdog said Thursday.
    The move by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television will affect popular actors such as Jaycee Chan, son of Hong Kong movie star Jackie Chan, Taiwanese actor Kai Ko and Gao Hum.
    All three were detained in August after testing positive for or being found in possession of marijuana and/or methamphetamines.
    The ban also concerns Huang Haibo, an actor arrested on suspicion of hiring prostitutes.
    "Their actions have hurt the entire industry and have brought extremely bad and adverse consequences to the whole society, therefore we strongly condemn their actions," a spokesman from the China Radio and Television Association said. The move can be seen as part of a broader crackdown by government on excesses within China's elite, observers say.