Zhuhai Intermediate People's Court on Friday opened a hearing on the notorious prostitution scandal here involving more than 400 Japanese male tourists.

Because of the case's political sensitivity, it raised concerns at home and abroad and was postponed at least three times.

A total of 14 defendants were brought to court, including a manager of the hotel where the incidents occurred, night club bosses, pimps, prostitutes and the employees of a local Japanese-funded tour company.

The incident caused an uproar among the Chinese public because it happened around September 18, a sensitive time. On September 18, 1931, the Japanese army masterminded incident, which marked the beginning of the Japanese occupation of Northeast China.

Court officials were not allowing the media and public access to the proceedings citing "individual privacy."

However, a spokesman who asked not to be named, said the defendants would be sentenced to between five and 10 years in jail if found guilty of various charges such as soliciting, prostitution and conspiracy.

The court did not pass a judgment yesterday, and officials indicated the hearing would last for a few days.

It is the first such case for Zhuhai Intermediate People's Court.

In October, the director and a deputy director of the Zhuhai Municipal Bureau of Public Security were punished in connection with the case.

And the two hotels that were involved were shut down when the case was exposed.

Between September 16 and 18, more than 400 Japanese male tourists patronized at least 500 Chinese prostitutes at a local five-star Zhuhai International Conference Center Hotel.

The prostitutes came from night clubs in Zhuhai and neighboring Shenzhen.

The prostitutes earned between 800 yuan (US$96) and 1,800 yuan (US$216) a night.

(China Daily Dec 13, 2003)