China sex-theme park closes before opening

Yang refused to give the reason for the demolition. However,photographs of the adult-only park had circulated widely on the Internet over the weekend,prompting widespread mockery and condemnation.

Exhibits had included giant-sized reproductions of male and female anatomy,dissertations on how the topic of sex is treated in various cultures and what the official China Daily called “sex technique workshops”.

The park’s main investor,Lu Xiaoqing,had earlier claimed that the attractions sought only to boost sexual awareness and improve people’s sex-lives.

The demolition highlights conflicted views on sex in modern China,where a prudish attitude toward discussion of sexuality is paired with an almost clinical approach to its physical aspects.

While pornography is banned and sex education largely unheard of,shops selling sex toys and related items stand out prominently in many neighbourhoods. Prostitution,while technically illegal,is widespread and the keeping of mistresses among prominent businessmen and Communist Party officials is considered commonplace.

Such attitudes are blamed in part for risky sex and ignorance about birth control among minors. With public discussion of sex so limited,there is relatively little awareness of sexual harassment and abuse and laws and regulations covering such matters are weaker in China than in many countries.