China's latest television guidelines issued on December 31, 2015 bans storylines involving gay relationships and other topics that are deemed immoral and "exaggerate the dark side of society" from being featured in television programs.

The eight-page list of new regulations on "vulgar, immoral, and unhealthy content" was posted on the website of the China Television Drama Production Industry Association. The regulations likewise bans extramarital affairs, one night stands, underage love, and homosexuality themes from television programs.

Like Us on Facebook

The guidelines were issued following the pull out of popular same-sex drama Addicted Heroin from Chinese online streaming websites last week, enraging Chinese netizens on social media.

                                               Abnormal sexual relationships

The program can reportedly now only be viewed on YouTube - which is blocked in China.

"No television drama shall show abnormal sexual relationships and behaviors, such as incest, same-sex relationships, sexual perversion, sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual violence, and so on," the regulations stated..

Apart from these themes, the regulations also covered a wide array of topics that should not be in television dramas such as topics that might taint the country's image, threaten national unity, promote opulent lifestyles and promote superstitions.

                                               Latest

The new regulations issued by the Chinese censors are the latest in the country's campaign to promote a stricter morality and a way to control public life, observers said.

Last year, over 200 songs were taken offline by China's censors, who deemed it 'harmful' to the country's youth.

In December 2014, the government pulled the plug on a TV show set in the Tang Dynasty because of the ample cleavage the stars showed in the program. The program was later re-aired after being edited.

                                             Gay community

The new guidelines has angered the gay community in China. Many say the new policy runs counter to the country's slow acceptance of same-sex relationships.

Chen Qiuyan, a gay activist, said she was 'absolutely furious' after reading the new rules. Chen has earlier sued China's education department for the erroneous portrayal of homosexuality in textbooks.

"Who are these high-up creeps identifying same-sex (relationships) as abnormal? They have no common sense," she said.

TagsChina Gay Community, China Same-Sex Romance, China Homosexuality Television