Mainland Chinese period drama 'The Empress of China' which was produced by Hunan TV and features Chinese actress Fan Bingbing, has recently halted its broadcast, claiming that there had been technical issues with regard to the production.

Fan has recently lead the production of the 8^th century Tang dynasty-based drama 'Empress of China', where she plays the titular role of Wu Zetian, the only woman who ruled over China as an emperor.

Like Us on Facebook

However, last December 27, Hunan TV has announced through their official Weibo account that they will be temporarily ceasing broadcast, citing 'technical reasons' as the cause. They have stated that the drama will resume broadcast next year.

Hunan TV has not revealed further details into the issue. However, other parties have speculated that it was only an excuse that the broadcasting network has given to the public in order to conceal the alleged fact that it has been banned due to the racy scenes featured in the drama.

According to speculations, the revealing costumes and mature scenes featured in the drama might have 'irked' China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT).

Just a few months back, SAPPRFT has released a notice that calls for the removal of shows that depict sex, nudity, extra-marital affairs, pornography and other scandalous issues. Media reports say that the drama had been the content of much discussion within the censorship board since it was first aired, particularly issues on the costumes which they claimed to be too revealing. Speculations also say that the board did not agree to some of the scenes that the production team wishes to show.

Despite the speculations, some also believe that the temporary halt in broadcast was called for after the censorship board imposed a quota on historical dramas.

On the one hand, 'The Empress of China' will resume broadcast on January 1, 2015.

TagsThe Empress of China, Fan Bingbing