95% of netizens disapprove of removal of cleavage scenes

A screen capture of a survey conducted by Sina Weibo on the removal of scenes showing cleavage in the TV dramaWu Zetian. As of 10:17 am on Jan 5, 2015, nearly 95 percent of viewers disapprove the move. [Photo/Sina Weibo]

Nearly 95% of Internet users in China disapprove of the removal of scenes showing cleavage on screen in a Chinese television drama, calling the move "unnecessary".

The drama,The Empress of China, also known as theSaga of Wu Zetian, was removed from commercial satellite station Hunan TV for "technical reasons" in late December.

"Many viewers speculated the suspension was a punishment given by the country's television regulators for the much-discussed revealing costumes of female characters on the show, which stirred online debate in which the female characters were dubbed 'squeezed breasts'," Xinhua said.

When it returned to the screen in January, scenes showing female characters' cleavage were removed and replaced by close-up shots of the actresses' heads. This somewhat "magnified" version of faces on screen has sparked discontent among viewers.

In a survey conducted by Sina Weibo under the topic "Cleavage scenes cut, yes or no?" more than 95% of viewers voted "No" whereas only 5% voted "Yes".

Most netizens said the show is only a piece of work that showed the culture of China and these alterations are unnecessary. Some are calling for a rating system that restricts viewership to only those deemed appropriate.