Singer missing as China cracks down on Tiananmen anniversary

While the Chinese-language version has been blocked since 2015, most other languages could previously be viewed, Wikipedia said.The disappearance of Li, the musician, has left fans searching for answers.On Feb. 20, the official Weibo social media account for the 40-year-old’s concert tour posted a photograph of its team in front of a truck about to embark on scheduled performances in Sichuan province in China’s southwest.Just two days later, however, the account posted an image of a hand wearing what appeared to be a hospital wrist band and the words: “Very sorry.” The next post, published the same day, announced without explanation that the tour was canceled and that ticket purchasers would shortly receive a refund. An April 21 central government directive ordered all websites to delete any audio or video content relating to five of Li’s songs, according to China Digital Times, an organization that publishes leaked censorship instructions.The Associated Press could not independently verify the authenticity of the directive.“There’s pretty much a consensus” among those working in the industry that Li’s disappearance from public view is due to the sensitive anniversary, said a music industry professional who spoke on condition of anonymity because of fear of government retribution.“He did a number of songs that were considered politically risky, making references to June 4, 1989, and so he’s been out of the picture,” the industry professional said.The AP could not confirm Li’s current whereabouts.