BEIJING, China (AFP) — Chinese officials have warned comedians against stirring up gender discord, instructing those who invoke a battle of the sexes to criticise constructively rather than “for the sake of being funny.”

The WeChat article posted over the weekend by authorities in eastern Zhejiang province comes after a comedian detailed her abusive marriage in a performance that went viral on Chinese social media.

Women’s rights are sensitive territory in China — over the last decade, authorities have cracked down on almost every form of independent feminist activism.

Zhejiang’s publicity department chastised some comedy shows for becoming a “battlefield” and simplifying gender issues into “opposition between men and women.”

“Criticism is obviously fine, but it should be... constructive rather than revolve around gender opposition for the sake of being funny,” Sunday’s WeChat article read.

The department also offered comedians tips on how to discuss gender in their sets.

“Instead of mocking ‘blindly confident men’ it is better to explore the social causes for this mentality,” it suggested.

“Instead of blindly ridiculing ‘materialistic women,’ it is better to reflect on how consumerism shapes gender roles.”