KUALA LUMPUR: China's cultural authorities have instructed the country's entertainment industry to guarantee that underage performers complete their compulsory education.
According to the South China Morning Post, the government has also banned minors from participating in activities that supported their idols.
In a recent notice from the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, agents representing performers under the age of 18 were told to ensure that the youngsters complete their nine years of schooling.
Before a minor can perform, the organiser would also be required to receive consent from a guardian in advance.
It added that the entertainment industry should prohibit shows by any performer who either violated the law or breaches "ethical values".
Fans of idols who are minors would also be banned from taking part in activities and purchases that cater to increasing a celebrity's popularity.
These instructions were apparently aimed at "better regulating the moral education" of entertainers.
"Abandon the worship for traffic and strive to be reputable literary and art workers both professionally and morally," it said.
In September, China's top media regulator the National Radio and Television Administration had issued similar guidelines on entertainment programmes and artistes, including banning stars who hold "incorrect" political positions, behave unethically, or have "effeminate" male styles.
It is believed that these instructions are a reaction to what the Chinese government considers a growing frenzy around idols by young people and an increasingly overzealous fan culture.
It also mentioned that popular talent contest shows which featured young participants competing to be idols were giving youngsters the "wrong idea" of achieving fame early in life.