Authorities in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu on Tuesday gave singer Na Ying a rare exemption after she performed an unapproved song at a weekend concert, drawing fresh attention to China’s strict controls over the entertainment industry.

Songs and other content used in live performances, including stand-up comedy, must be approved by local authorities in advance. Artists who break the rules can face fines, bans from future performances and restrictions on public appearances.

The Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism said Na’s performance was a short part of an audience interaction rather than a full performance of the song. Therefore, it did not require additional approval.

Na, one of China’s best-known female singers, performed “Curved Moon” at her concert in Chengdu on Saturday to remember fellow singer Liu Huan, who died the previous day.

“I want to sing a song he sang before on this stage, to pay tribute to him,” Na told the audience, according to videos shared on social media. Dressed in black, she appeared emotional as she sang.

Some social media users described the performance as an “expensive tribute,” praising Na while expressing concern that she could be fined.

Liu, one of China’s most prominent musicians for nearly four decades, died Friday at the age of 63, according to an obituary published Sunday by the University of International Business and Economics.

Liu was a music history professor at the university for more than three decades before retiring. He also performed the theme song of the 2008 Beijing Olympics with British soprano Sarah Brightman during the opening ceremony.

Brightman described Liu as an “amazing talent and a true gentleman” and said he would be greatly missed in posts on Facebook and X on Sunday.

The Chengdu decision came several weeks after authorities in the central Chinese city of Wuhan fined a prominent comedian for changing the lyrics of a patriotic song during a performance.