19 Apr CHINA TO PERMIT SEX TRADE
The Ministry of Interior (MOI) has decided in principle not to decriminalize the sex trade but will work out new rules to exempt both parties from punishment if they are found to have engaged in the sex industry within designated red-light districts.
At a coordination meeting among officials from the MOI and other government agencies last Friday, they decided not to decriminalize the sex trade as originally planned.
But under the latest consensus, sex workers who have registered in accordance with the regulations to provide services at red-light districts designated by local-level governments will be exempt from penalties.
The prostitutes will still be subject to criminal punishments, including having their business licenses revoked, if they continue offering sexual services after being diagnosed with sexually-transmitted diseases or as carriers of the HIV virus.