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Entertainment venues checked for drugs, prostitutes
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-03-16 14:04
China's police authority on Wednesday asked its local bureaus to clean up
entertainment venues, clamping down on drugs, prostitution and criminal
activities.
"Efforts should be stepped up to check illegal activities occurring in
entertainment venues, especially gang activities, drug abuse and drug dealing,
gambling, prostitution and sex shows, " said a circular issued by the Ministry
of Police Security.
The order came two weeks after China enacted a strict regulation for the
operation of entertainment venues. It bans gambling, prostitution and other
illegal activities on the premises.
Local police were asked to impose more severe punishments on violators. Venue
owners who are warned three times in two years will be obliged to shut down
their businesses, the circular said.
The circular also asked police to close down seedy venues with poor safety
standards. Names of the entertainment venues which receive official warnings
will be made public.
China's entertainment industry has grown into a huge money-spinner. Owners of
entertainment venues, including Karaoke clubs (KTV), snooker rooms, computer
game parlors and various bars, usually overlook crimes or safety issues in their
pursuit of profits..
Some owners have connections with local police or officials or even harbor
prostitution, and engage in gambling or other illegal activities as ways to make
more money.
The circular said police officials will be held responsible for lax law
enforcement if prostitution, drug-abuse and gambling is rampant on their turf.
Local police chiefs will also be punished for covering such recreations. In
addition, police caught running entertainment businesses or not halting their
relatives from doing so will face severe punishment.
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