A private cinema Photo:VCG

Police in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, have conducted three rounds of undercover inspections targeting "private cinemas" across the city since the beginning of this year, inspecting more than 20 venues and uncovering two sites involved in pornographic activities. Eight people were administratively punished and two venues were shut down, local authorities said in a statement released on Sunday night.

According to the statement, in response to recent media reports and public complaints about illegal operations at some "private cinemas" in the city, the Chengdu Public Security Bureau, together with relevant local departments, formed a joint investigation team to handle the cases in accordance with the law.

Investigations found that two "private cinemas" in Jinjiang district failed to properly register overnight guests using real-name information as required and were ordered to rectify the violations in accordance with the law. Another "private cinema" in Wuhou district was found to have provided for-profit companionship services and was shut down.

Further investigation is underway on whether the operators and employees of aforementioned venues may be involved in other illegal or criminal activities, per the release.

The statement added that authorities will further strengthen coordinated enforcement with a "zero-tolerance" approach, crack down strictly on illegal and irregular activities at entertainment venues, deepen source governance and routine supervision, and continue to clean up the cultural market. 

Operators and employees in the industry were urged to strictly comply with laws and regulations, uphold bottom lines during the operation, and conduct business in a lawful and compliant manner to help maintain good industry order and social norms, the statement said.

On the same day, local police in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, and Sanya, South China's Hainan Province, also released statements on the handling of cases involving "private cinemas." 

In one of the cases, organized individuals were found to have provided companionship services to customers under the guise of "service packages." Four operators were under criminal detention while three individuals who offered such services were given administrative penalties.

Global Times