China Bans Justin Bieber For 'Bad Behaviors'

(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for iHeart)

Justin Bieber is not welcome in China.

The 23-year-old pop star's ban was confirmed in a statement posted by Beijing's Culture Bureau early Friday, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

"Justin Bieber is a gifted singer, but he is also a controversial young foreign idol," the bureau said. The statement came in response to questions from Bieber fans about why there were no China dates on the Asian leg of Bieber's "Purpose" world tour.

"As far as we are concerned, he has engaged in a series of bad behaviors, both in his social life and during a previous performance in China, which caused discontent among the public," the statement continued, though no specifics were provided. As the Hollywood Reporter notes, Bieber caused a stir in 2013 when his bodyguards carried him up the stairs of the Great Wall in a move that was seen as disrespectful.

Bieber's tour, which returns to the United States for a stadium leg starting July 29, kicked off in March 2016 and has included 64 U.S. and 52 international stops. The Asian leg, which takes place after the U.S. stadium dates, has stops in Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore.

Bieber's ban comes at a time when China's rapidly growing middle class is enjoying music more than ever. According to a study released last year by Nielsen, 57% of "affluent" Chinese music fans attend concerts, compared with 51% in the U.S., and they tend to prefer English-language pop, rock and jazz.

Bieber is far from the only musician to get banned from touring in China. He's in good company with Bjork, Maroon 5, Oasis, Bob Dylan and Jay-Z.

Bieber's representatives did not have an immediate response to the news.

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