More than 700 problematic entertainment venues have been shut
down in Beijing during a week of special task law enforcement
activities led by the city's public security departments.
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An official with the brigade for administration of public order of
the municipal public security bureau said that from June 20 to July
3, the bureau raided 1,700 places of entertainment which were
running on expired or without proper permits, providing escort
services or running prostitution rackets under the guise of a valid
entertainment venue. The raids were conducted in cooperation with
other departments of industry and commerce, market administration
and culture.
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The law enforcement workers ordered over 700 of the 1,700 venues to
be shut down permanently. Others were closed temporarily subject to
mandatory improvements. Fines were also imposed on business owners,
the official added.
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321 people suspected of prostitution, illegal gambling, drug abuse
or trafficking, and using escort services were detained.
(Xinhua News Agency July 7, 2005)