Updated July 22, 2017 00:32:35

Photo: The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture said it was "cleaning up" the domestic performance market. (AAP: Dean Lewins)

Justin Bieber won't be taking to the stage in Beijing any time soon.

The Canadian pop star has been banned from performing in China because of his past "bad behaviour," according to the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture — although it did concede he has talent.

"Justin Bieber is a young foreign singer who is talented at singing but also controversial," the ministry said in a statement.

"It's not appropriate to bring in artists who show bad behaviour."

The statement was in response to a question from a fan who wanted to know why, with Bieber about to bring his Purpose World Tour to Asia, no venues had been scheduled in mainland China.

The bureau said it was acting in the interest of imposing standards and order and "cleaning up" the domestic performance market.

It said Bieber's "bad behaviour" including in his private life abroad and while in China to perform, had caused "public dissatisfaction". It did not provide details.

Bieber performed in Beijing, Shanghai and the eastern city of Dalian in 2013.

Photo: Bieber performed in Beijing as part of his world tour in 2013. (AP)

He drew criticism when pictures showed him being carried up the Great Wall of China by a pair of bodyguards.

There may be some hope for Bieber's fans in China, with the culture bureau adding: "However, in the process of growing up and improving his words and deeds, he can truly develop into a singer who is beloved of the masses."

Bieber's Purpose World Tour wraps up in September with performances in Tokyo, the semiautonomous Chinese territory of Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia.

ABC/AP

Topics: arts-and-entertainment, music, dance-music, industry, music-industry, china, canada

First posted July 22, 2017 00:31:01