Disney+ users in the city of Hong Kong made the discovery that an episode of “The Simpsons” isn’t available for them to stream. Titled “Goo Goo Gai Pan,” the episode has been censored by removal from the streaming platform as it depicts the family visiting Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, where they come across a plaque that reads: “On this site, in 1989, nothing happened.”
Additionally, the episode refers to the famous “Tank Man” photo where a man stands in front of a line of tanks as the military put a halt on student-led protests back on June 4th, 1989. The episode originally aired for the show back in 2005.
It remains unclear as to whether Disney was pressured to remove the episode, as both Disney and the Hong Kong Office of the Communications Authority have not immediately returned FOX Business’ requests for comment. However, it should be noted that Hong Kong’s legislature passed a law banning films that “endorse, support, glorify, encourage and incite activities that might endanger national security” from being screened or distributed.
Alongside the apparent removal of the episode, Hong Kong authorities have also banned gatherings commemorating the massacre, citing pandemic restrictions. Furthermore, a museum dedicated to the events of Tiananmen Square was shut down following a visit from police, and Hong Kong University had made an announcement regarding the planned removal of a statue commemorating the victims, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Disney’s live-action remake of Mulan sparked controversy for being partially filmed in China’s Xinjiang region while its lead actress faced backlash regarding her outspoken support for Hong Kong police. Simu Liu, lead-actor for “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” faced scrutiny for referring to China as a “third world” country where people were “dying of starvation.” And “Eternals” director Chloe Zhao, born in Beijing, made historic Oscar wins, but they were censored in China because of comments made in 2013 where she called the country “a place where there are lies everywhere,” according to Variety.
Both Marvel films have yet to be released in China.