CHINA’S media watchdog picked up its scissors again to cut cleavage.

    The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has removed scenes showing actresses’ cleavage from a TV series once more, following changes to the historical drama “The Empress of China” earlier last year.

    Revealing scenes from TV series “The Investiture of the Gods,” which airs on Shenzhen Television, were replaced with close-up shots of actresses’ heads.

    The TV series is based on the life of Su Daji, the favorite concubine of King Zhou, the last king of the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 B.C.). In Chinese culture, she is considered a classic example of a femme fatale, and in her story, beauty brings the downfall of an empire.

    Chinese actress Li Yixiao plays the protagonist in the series. Despite the cuts made by SARFT, screenshots of her risqué dresses are still circulating online.

    “Before this series went on air, it was already edited according to the rules and regulations of SARFT. Adjustments were made again upon the request of SARFT,” said Shenzhen Television during an interview with New Express, a Guangzhou-based newspaper.

    Unlike “The Empress of China,” where only the edited version is available, the original version of “The Investiture of the Gods” can still be found online while the edited version is aired on TV.

    The series attracted the attention of Chinese netizens prior to its airing because of its revealing costumes and some hinted at the possibilities of it being altered by the authorities.

    One post read, “Concubine Daji, please take care and put on some more clothes as the weather is getting colder. Otherwise, I truly worry about your future!”(SD-Agencies)