SYMPATHY

Prostitution has been outlawed in China since the Communist Party of China took power in 1949.

But a few Chinese activists and scholars believe that the world's oldest profession should be legalized in the country, arguing that it would increase government tax revenue and better protect the vulnerable and currently "invisible" prostitutes from sexually transmitted diseases and violence.

While the topic remains by and large taboo out of morality concerns, the latest crackdown in Dongguan has prompted sharply divided opinions among the Chinese.

Some supported the campaign, saying it would make China more beautiful and civilized. But sympathies for Dongguan's sex workers also poured in on the country's microblogging service Sina Weibo, where "Dongguan sex trade crackdown" is among the most re-tweeted topics as of Monday afternoon.

"It is not those who sell their bodies that should be condemned," said a user with the screen name "Sophie203." "It is the parasites who make money by supporting the illegal business."

Netizen "Chongshangwuqing" said he believed that the campaign will result in a more miserable life for sex workers, and predicted a slump in the city's economy.

A large number of Weibo users are also criticizing CCTV for airing the program without blurring the sex workers' faces, accusing it of violating the prostitutes' rights.

"Some netizens equate freedom of sex to freedom of the sex market," said Professor Lyu Xinyu with the Department of Journalism at Fudan University. "That's why so many of them are sympathizing with the sex workers in Dongguan and supporting the legalization of prostitution."

"But as long as there is a sex trade, prostitutes are always the victims," he added.