Crackdown on venues suspected of prostitution

Nearly 50 popular entertainment venues in Beijing suspected of being involved in prostitution have been closed, the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau said on June 11.

The crackdown, which lasted from April 20 to May 30, shut down 48 entertainment venues, authorities said.

Three nightclubs were suspected of organizing prostitution activities, while four karaoke bars allegedly presented obscene performances and acted as shelters for prostitution.

"The crackdown aims to ensure that every place involved in prostitution will be wiped out," said Wang Xin, a press officer at the Beijing public security bureau.

"We'll pay more attention to the venues' management in the capital and welcome residents to report more clues," Wang said.

In April 2010, the police arrested more than 1,100 people who were allegedly engaged in prostitution and shut down many venues in Beijing, such as the Heaven Earth nightclub, the No 8 Club KTV and the Sunworld Dynasty Hotel KTV.