Crackdown on prostitution has put a dent in business for hotel, entertainment sectors

Members of Dongguan's top advisory body have urged departments to improve the city's reputation after a sweeping police crackdown on prostitution a year ago.

The city's hotel and entertainment industries have been hardest hit after the clampdown on prostitution in the past 12 months, political advisers from the local hotel industry said during a panel discussion of the 12th session of the Dongguan Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference last week.

Zhong Hanqiang, executive president of a local luxury hotel, said many tourists now bypass Dongguan to stay in Shenzhen and Zhuhai when they arrive in Guangdong province.

"Effective and concrete measures have to be introduced soon to help improve the city's image at home and abroad to attract more tourists," Zhong said.

"Many local officials have also shunned visiting local luxury hotels and restaurants as provincial and city governments have issued notices to ban officials from visiting luxury venues using public funds," he said.

A real-name system, introduced for checking into hotels in Dongguan, has also driven away residents, lovers and mistresses, he added.

Liu Xuewei, another hotel boss, urged government departments to upgrade the city's industrial structure.

"Dongguan should not rely too much on its hotel and entertainment industries for development," he said.

Dongguan's hotel industry has witnessed a 50 to 70 percent year-on-year reduction in trade, according to Deng Jianhui, deputy director of the Dongguan City Association of Hotels.

"Many hotels are experiencing their hardest period in the past year, although none of the city's luxury hotels has yet been shut down," Deng said.

The crackdown was launched last year after China Central Television exposed prostitution in the prosperous Pearl River Delta city.

Prostitutes and clients, along with many who operated the underground industry, were detained. Dozens of police officers were removed from their posts and placed under investigation. They allegedly acted as "protective umbrellas" for prostitution and were suspected of tipping off gangs.

Officials under investigation include Yan Xiaokang, a former deputy mayor of Dongguan who was also director of the city's bureau of public security.

Hundreds of entertainment venues, including massage parlors and hotels, were closed, and a number of local officials were put under investigation for alleged involvement in the sex industry.

Pan Xinchao, head of Dongguan's publicity department, said departments are now doing what they can to help promote Dongguan and boost its economic growth.

"This includes inviting celebrities and sports stars to visit the city in the coming months," he said.

Huang Shiding, a researcher with the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences, said Dongguan should develop its exhibition and convention industries.

Zhang Yiri, an associate professor from Guangzhou City Polytechnic, said police should not relax their vigilance in fighting prostitution in Dongguan.

"Continuous efforts in fighting illegal prostitution will help improve Dongguan's reputation at home and abroad," he said.

zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 02/04/2015 page4)