China Abruptly Cancel Bon Jovi Live Shows Due To Take Place Next Week

Bon Jovi

Iconic US rock band Bon Jovi have had their upcoming shows in China abruptly cancelled allegedly after officials discovered that the band had used images of the Dalai Lama during live performances five years ago. 

As Financial Times report, The Communist Party's Culture Ministry pulled the plug on the gigs set to take place in Shanghai and Beijing on 14 and 17 September respectively, following the discovery of the imagery used during a 2010 Taiwan show. 

It is also believed the New Jersey-founded outfit's music video for 2009's We Weren't Born To Follow was another reason for the cancellation, as the clip shows footage from the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. 

A statement from the tour promoter confirmed that the China shows have been cancelled, though no specific reason was given.

"We regretfully announce that the Bon Jovi 2015 Shanghai concert on Sept. 14 and Beijing concert on Sept. 17 have been cancelled due to unforeseen reasons," the statement reads. 

"We would like to apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment that this will cause."

Bon Jovi are yet another music act to have had their shows blocked in China, following fellow US band Maroon 5 whose performances in the country, due to also take place this month, were cancelled after a band member tweeted happy birthday to the Dalai Lama.  

Pop star Taylor Swift also angered China officials after the launch of a controversial clothing range, though it is suspected tour organisers are working on new designs and the singer's November shows in Shanghai will go ahead as planned.