TV report uncovers rampant sex trade in Dongguan

CCTV's undercover report claims that sex services are openly and widely available at massage parlors, hotels, sauna centers and karaoke clubs in Dongguan. The embarrassed Dongguan police launched a crackdown at 3pm yesterday and a total of 6,525 police officers took part. [Photo: China News Service]

A recent investigative report by China's national TV station CCTV has brought to light the rampant illegal sex trade, which goes largely unpunished, in one of China's major manufacturing hub Dongguan.

While exposing a wide range of sex services offered at local massage parlors, hotels, sauna centers and karaoke clubs, inclduing five-star hotels like Sheraton Dongguan, the report, aired yesterday, accused Dongguan police of tolerating the prostitution.

Among the quality services offered by rival entertainment venues in order to stay in this lucrative business are beauty contests where sex workers in see-through dresses catwalked in front of prospective clients to be picked up.

There have been crackdowns on prostitution in Dongguan in the past decade, yet sex trade there is still rampant.

It might be different this time as CCTV's undercover report has slapped Dongguan police's face very hard. A staff member at the Yue Sheng Hotel in Houjie Town told CCTV reporter: "Police know much more than anyone else about where prostitution exists and who are involved. But they just do nothing."

The CCTV report, which garnered nationwide atttention, has prompted a swift police crackdown on the illegal practice, which led to the shutdown of 12 entertainment venues and the detention of 67 suspects by press time.

The police operation was launched at 3pm yesterday and a total of 6,525 police officers took part. Zhongtang Town public security bureau chief He Cheng has been suspended.