Some might call it an auction to die for, as the Chinese people observed the traditional Qingming Festival honoring the dead.

A man in his late 20s in Jiaxing, east China's Zhejiang Province, has attempted to sell his soul on Taobao, the nation's top online auction site, attracting bids from some 58 soul-searching buyers before the posting was pulled.

"We reviewed Taobao's policies and realized we had no specific policy on the selling of souls," said Porter Erisman, spokesman for Taobao's parent Alibaba.com. "After reviewing our policies, the posting was taken down Friday."

Erisman said Taobao wasn't opposed to the idea of soul selling online, but wanted more proof that the seller could provide the goods.

"After some discussion, we decided that we will allow the member to sell his soul on Taobao, but only if he can provide written permission from a 'higher authority,'" he said.

Taobao made its decision as Chinese around the world yesterday observed Qingming Festival, a traditional holiday where many travel to their ancestors' graves to clean them and offer gifts to the spirits.

Taobao is no stranger to odd items being put up for auction, with past sale items including advertising space on one member's forehead.

The firm's chief rival, eBay, has also hosted its share of strange items for auction, including a second-hand Volkswagen once owned by Pope Benedict and a mangrove island in Florida.

(Shenzhen Daily April 6, 2006)