Beijing police has launched a campaign against prostitution in
the Chaoyang District, which had become rampant after Lunar New
Year.
One hundred and three suspects were arrested in the campaign in
the Sanlitun Bar Street, and several underground brothels were
closed down. Some game houses involving gambling were closed,
too.
Most brothels in Beijing operate behind the facade of beauty
salons, public bathhouses or teahouses. The police promise that the
real bosses of these brothels will be ferreted out and
punished.
A six-month time period will be given to these places for
rectification, and those which fail to do so will be closed down
permanently. The landlords will be punished, too, if they know what
their premises are used for.
In the first quarter of 2007, Beijing police had successfully
closed down 123 brothels, gambling houses, and drug parlors, and
6,350 suspects were arrested, with more than 4 million yuan of
illegal income being confiscated.
(Chinanew.cn April 12, 2007)