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Bieber's lifestyle overseas and his "words and
actions" when he last performed in China had generated "public
dissatisfaction", Beijing's Municipal Bureau of Culture said,
without specifying what behavior had caused offense.
Given efforts to "purify" the performing arts environment in
China, "it was not appropriate to bring in artists with bad
behavior", the bureau said on its website, responding to a
question from a fan asking why Bieber was not being allowed to
tour.
"We hope Justin Bieber will continue to improve his behavior as
part of his growth, and become a singer truly loved by the
public," it said.
It is unclear whether the comments, which were carried on an
official government website, constituted a ban, or if the singer
had sought to tour China.
Bieber's management company did not immediately respond to
request for comment.
Bieber performed in China in 2013 when media coverage centered
on him stripping on stage in Beijing to reveal his bare torso,
being carried up the steps of the Great Wall of China, and
riding a segway, again shirtless, through the streets.
Bieber, 23, has become notorious for a string of indiscretions
and scandals in recent years, shedding the clean-cut image he
had when he burst onto the scene as a teenager.
He also posted a photo on social media showing him visiting
Japan's controversial Yasukuni war shrine in 2014.
The singer removed the image but not before it had attracted
660,000 likes on Instagram and had been tweeted out to his 50
million-plus followers on Twitter.
Chinese media reported in January that Bieber was set to return
this year, but no Chinese dates have been announced. He is due
to perform in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore in September and
October, according to his website.
Several big name musicians have been blocked from performing in
China, including Lady Gaga, Bjork and Bon Jovi, who have all met
or expressed support for the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the
Dalai Lama.
"Justin Bieber has won many big awards, he must have a lot of
talent, why have Chinese fans not been afforded the right to
appreciate him?" asked He Wenrui, the fan who wrote to Beijing's
bureau of culture.
(Reporting by Philip Wen; Editing by Robert Birsel)
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