China Cancels Michael Jordan Fan Event

China's government cancelled an event that basketball star Michael Jordan was to attend, citing "safety" concerns. Beijing police dispersed the fans, who had blocked a street to protest the government's actions. The government reacted as it had in 2001, when it blocked an appearance by NBA star Kobe Bryant, because "a large crowd" had turned out to see him.

A spokesman for China's Happiness Prevention Office told reporters that the government's actions are in the best interests of its citizens. "The event was cancelled precisely because so many people had turned out to see Mr. Jordan," the spokesman said. "We maintain a list of things that people enjoy, and if a large number of people enjoy that thing, we promptly ban it," he said, adding that the same policy is responsible for the government's ban on couples having more than one child. When a reporter questioned the spokesman about other things that large numbers of people enjoy, such as eating food and living productive lives, the spokesman said that his office would investigate and ban those activities if necessary.