Officials warned on prostitution
- Source: Global Times
- [03:33 October 23 2009]
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By Guo Qiang
A Party official warned his counterparts to resist sexual temptations and preserve their moral integrity in the interests of the Party's leadership, otherwise, they will receive demerits in their performance appraisal, the latest warning that highlights the Party's resolve to combat corruption.
"Party officials ought to stay away from vulgar venues and are not allowed to visit sanpei xiaojie for entertainment activities," Li Yuanchao, head of the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said.
Sanpei xiaojie is a common euphemism for hostesses who perform sexual acts with clients while receiving financial recompense in the form of tips.
"The recent scandals involving corrupt officials tracked their disciplinary offenses to sanpei xiaojie," he said, while calling on officials to take control of their desires and fend off material comfort and sensory stimulation.
Li, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the CPC, made the remarks while delivering a speech at opening ceremonies of cadres colleges in Pudong, Yan'an and Jinggangshan, urging officials to be upright and honest.
Lin Zhe, an expert on anti-corruption at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, told the Global Times that Li's words were aimed at preventing corruption in advance.
"Officials used to be prohibited from having mistresses, while now they are urged not to set foot in vulgar venues, " she said.
Li's words are reminiscent of the prominent Deng Yujiao incident that occurred this May in Hubei Province, in which 21-year-old waitress Deng Yujiao stabbed local official, Deng Guida, to death as the waitress tried to fight off his aggressive sexual advances.
"The phenomenon of officials visiting vulgar venues for fun is not rare; on the contrary, it is common," Lin said.
A slew of corruption cases involving government officials' sexual desires has caused public outcry.
