Editor's note: The following article was translated and edited from a recent article published in The Beijing News, detailing the sentencing of 71 people recently arrested during a call-girl ring bust east of the Olympic Stadium in Beijing. While this may not normally merit attention in Chinese media, what is striking about this particular case is number of people that were arrested, and the unusual severity of the sentencing this time around, given the nature of their crimes committed, in particular, the many people who worked as "card issuers" for the ring (the people going door-to-door sticking a small card with the picture of a "sexy lady" and a phone number into the cracks of the door frame).Is Beijing stepping-up its crackdown on seedy activities, or were these people just the unfortunate recipients of "being made an example of"?
On February 10th, the second mass hearing for the 71 people arrested during a recent "call-girl ring" raid was held at the Court of Justice in the Fengtai District of Beijing, and 34 people (22 Men and 12 Women) were sentenced. This was the largest call-girl ring case in China's history. The oldest defendant was 52, and the youngest was only 19. The first mass hearing (33 people sentenced) took place on January 18th. The head of the call-girl ring, "Mrs Du" and her husband "Mr Cui" were fined and sentenced to 14 years and 13 years in prison, for the crime of organising prostitution. The other 32 people were fined and sentenced to between nine months and seven years in prison for assisting in organising prostitution. The final four members of the call-girl ring will be dealt with in a separate case, as they are minors. In addition, the call-girl ring's prostitutes are still being detained, and have not yet been held criminally liable.
The logistics of running a call-girl ring
According to the defendants' depositions, Du and Cui gradually monopolised the call-girl market in the Asian Games Village area in Chaoyang District (朝阳区亚运村) since they started in 2007 (there are two other call-girl rings in the area). Du and Cui streamlined their operation by using a single line of contact: 1) Their card printer delivered the call-girl cards to them; 2) They gave these cards to the card issuers, who worked in the vicinity of each big hotel, sometimes handing cards directly to hotel guest as they came and went, and sometimes leaving the cards in the door cracks of the hotel rooms; 3) Potential Johns (clients) used the telephone number listed on these cards to contact the card issuer, who determined the price and location for the meeting. The card issuer would determine a price for the trick based on the grade of hotel the john was staying in (500-2,000 RMB); 4) That card issuer would then contact Du and Cui who would then arrange for their full-time "black cab" driver to transport the prostitute to and from the John's room. To satisfy the demands of the Johns, Du would prepare a fake fapiao (invoice) for them; 5) Once the trick (meeting) was done, Du and Cui would collect the prostitute's money, take their commission (100 RMB per trick) and distribute the remaining money among the prostitutes and card issuers.
On a good day, Du and Cui were making more than 5,000 RMB; on a bad day it would be about 500 RMB. According to Du, although she was making good money, because Beijing is "so expensive", she only made about 180,000 RMB per year. At the time their call-girl ring was busted, five girls were working for them as prostitutes. The investigators also discovered that they had used foreign prostitutes in the past, as well as many underage prostitutes. Apparently, the girls all worked an equal amount; they drew numbers each night to queue up for their turns. In a given night, each girl would normally see 2-3 clients, or 4-5 on an exceptionally busy night.
Were the sentences too harsh?
According Zhang Yalin (张亚林), the associate Chief Judge of the criminal court at the Fengtai Court of Justice, the penalty for these 71 people was mainly based on their role in the call-girl ring and how much they profited from it. For example, "Mr Hu", who managed eight card issuers himself, was sentenced to six years, while "Mr Zhou", who handled the card printing, was sentenced to four years. In addition, "Mr Wan", "Mr Zeng", "Mr Yang" and three other people, who each have a prior record, were given stricter sentences of between 5-7 years in prison.
Upon hearing that she'd received a 14-year sentence, 28 year-old Du, weeping said: "All I did was serve as an intermediary for some prostitutes, is that worth 14 years? There is so much prostitution going on in society. Why make an example out of me? I know what I did was wrong, but the crime is hardly that serious. This is typical social conduct; there have always been prostitutes, all through the ages. I don't understand the law, but I don't think this is a huge deal." Cui and other defendants also believe that their sentencing was too harsh. All of them are considering appealing to a higher court.
In response to Du's comment that the sentencing was too harsh, Zhang Yalin, the associate Chief Judge of the criminal court at the Fengtai Court of Justice explained that organising prostitution has always been regarded as a major crime in China, and that the standard sentence is five years in prison. If the circumstances are more serious, that sentence can be increased to 10 years or more. When the circumstances are particularly bad, the sentence can become life in prison or even the death penalty. In measuring the sentences for the Du and Cui, four factors came into play:
Source: bjnews
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Keywords: Beijing call-girl ring bust Beijing organizing prostitution arrests Beijing prostitution crackdown Beijing criminal court cases
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"...explained that organising prostitution has always been regarded as a major crime in China" wait, what?
Oooh, you mean the 50 years or so that NEW CHINA has been around. I got ya. Du was absolutely right. Give her the same as everyone else.
Mar 10, 2012 16:51 Report Abuse
There are always law against prostitution, but why they don;t ask theirself why is need a girl to do this and why is need a man to call this kind of girl ??? A girl do this not because she is a whore, if think logic, there are not exist whores, there exist reasons why they do this ! "whore " is only a word, but if you look inside the heart of this girls, you will not find they are happy for ths "job" . They do this for reaons and reasons : need of money or extra money which in work they cnanot get them maybe, some personal needs about the money or what they want to achieve , family who is waiting money from them, one of the parent is ill, etc etc.. I don't think so in this world exist girls who like do this . Nobody like do this ! Is not any pleausre to do this with a stranger ! There is need to play a little theatre when do sex in tis way.. Some women can't play this theatre, some of them can, so if they have some advantage to earn some money in this way, if they use a condom , I don;t see why is called this a bad thing. Is your body, your mind, you can do what you want with yourself . Is the oldest job from the world and do you know from where is coming this ? Exactly from China ... If you read some history, you will see this , China and Japan in special developed this work... Just remember the japanesse girls how they served the old kings in past.. The woman in Japan is treated as a inferious thing anyway in this days too...
Mar 04, 2012 07:28 Report Abuse
i think Chinese government harshly sentence all the people in prositutuion trade aiming at to emphasizing traditional value, of course to help young girls, cause many college girls,even high school girls are enticed being prostitutes, as a result, it's useless to educate young generation......
This is the difference between China and Some European countries.
Mar 01, 2012 00:34 Report Abuse
Like they can ever ban prostitution. They put 50 in jail next week 60 new once are back. Often get called up in my hotel room by call girl service, asking if i needed their service, different hotels different cities. Even when I'm in the room with my wife, my wife picked up once and they just asked her if she needed servicing.
It's sad for the girls they are often forced or have very little choice or are very naive. That they are hard on the pimps I wholeheartedly agree with but should just give the girls slap on the wrist and help them get normal job, what good does it do anyone to put them in jail for 10 years.
Legalizing prostitution has huge advantages especially for the woman. Then its decriminalized, can help the girls get out of it and get normal job, mafia types/pimps etc make a lot less money of it. Downsides are only moral obligations to it, but it happens anyway legal or not.
Feb 26, 2012 05:54 Report Abuse
@Shaun: How do you know? It sounds you are a frequent customer of hookers. Is this what you come to China for?
Feb 27, 2012 03:35 Report Abuse
The problem with your comment, Johnnie, is it lacks empathy. Every prostitute is damaged goods due to the profession she has chosen. Emotionally, she is not a whole person. Every time you visit such a girl, you contribute to the damage. Men like you have sucked the life out of her. You have what they want. They feel they have to give you their most precious possession to get some of it. For you, it is just a few dollars. For them, it is everything they have. For once, just think of how demoralizing that is. Just because they give you a smile and a fake moan when you stick it to them doesn't mean you aren't committing a highly evasive act. An act as real and tangible as a gunshot. They don't like what they do and if they felt there was anything better, they would do it. You don't agree? How many women are in this thread backing up your thoughts? No, only men here who lack self control and don't really care about the person behind the body they are using. Learn to be a man and control yourself and save sex for when there is mutual affection.
Feb 20, 2012 11:08 Report Abuse
@xinyuren, who are you to judge these girls and call them "damaged goods"? I have more respect for a prostitute than I do a drug dealer or thief or murderer.
While some of these girls may not love the profession which they have chosen, I can tell you that there are many who are just nymphos and have no problem with it.
At the end of the day we are all just human beings. We all have dreams, aspirations, good times and bad times. We all want to love and be loved.
Feb 21, 2012 06:34 Report Abuse
Rain, Harry,
Your caterwauls have landed on perked ears. A new threshold of 10 comments a day will now be given to readers.
Business Cat - eChinacities staff
Feb 22, 2012 00:16 Report Abuse
People say the girls aren't to blame? Why? The girls are the one's that get involved in it! Oh but it's not their fault, you say! , that is just a crap answer. Uneducated and no money, have a look at the prostitutes, are they really uneducated and have no money? If a country wants to control prostitution, why can't they? I suppose you deviots support Gay marriage and think it is alright??
Feb 20, 2012 02:56 Report Abuse
Rain, you are the one that is full of it, man you don't even read what I say, you just put your tripe into my mouth and I am suppose to ( and others) accept it!
You think I am just an idiot and can't write english, well professor, I think your essay is written by a stupid sepic tank (Yank) you di..k he..d.
Yeah Gay marriage is you through and through you do...k
Feb 20, 2012 04:56 Report Abuse
Sorry Rain and Testicles, I shouldn't make any remarks against marriage because it is legal...my apologies. That said, I can't make comments about this article because you think it is legal..is that right? I noticed Rain, you had to use what I had written to try and comment. You suggest that your English is perfect and mine is crap, therefore, you had no need to copy and paste what I said... You young Guys are great, there should be more of you!
Feb 21, 2012 01:24 Report Abuse
At this point why not make it a taxable business no pimps just a individual choice to use their bodies to earn a income,have health requirements and kept it low key. It works in Nevada just an idea , again compassion
Feb 20, 2012 01:57 Report Abuse
DBWuhan, of all the responses and different opinions i've read, yours is the best! it's definitely a win-win situation plus i'm sure it would be another big booming business in china! we are in china where everything is possible. sky's the limit! hehe....compassion.
Feb 20, 2012 04:34 Report Abuse
In Nevada? Hey, it's been going on in Europe for a hell of a lot longer!
Feb 21, 2012 03:13 Report Abuse
No Jonee, can't agree with you on that!
Sure, some might find it a good easy way to make a lot of cash, and have bundles of other options available to them, but choose this one.
But for the most part, they are girls whose options are limited - they don't have the qualifications, experience, or other attributes required to hold down a well-enough paying job to look after their family - or even themselves. Some are, quite literally, forced into the situation. In some countries, they are brought over by a hype of making it big, their passport is taken (stolen) from them, and there are left there illegally. Options then? Go back to their home country (deported), or do what they're told. Fear (through ignorance) puts them in a bad situation.
In China, working conditions seriously suck! And, far from being the great communist country it is supposed to have been, people who are seriously injured or ill do NOT get the required care they need... no for food, housing, electricity, education, etc. So, if a girl needs to be a hooker on 500RMB per day to send back home so her little brother can get a much better education than her, she'll do it! Add into that, to ensure that her parents and grandparents have enough food to eat, and electricity, etc....
Yeah dude, I don't know where you are, but this stuff does happen! (not saying it's true for ALL the girls, but just saying....)
Feb 21, 2012 03:12 Report Abuse
Like your countrymen don't like booze and girls? come on dude.. every part of the world is the same.. that is why prostitution is the oldest "trading business" in the world.
tell me if your country do not have prostitute? Unless you are a fag/liar, tell me if you don't like young girls! for the booze part, "its not for everyone"
Feb 20, 2012 22:54 Report Abuse
It's quite ironic. These government officials who hand down these sentences are some of the prostitutes main clientele.
Feb 19, 2012 20:25 Report Abuse
I am pleasantly surprised by such article, better said by the information it refers to. It is rewarding for China image, knowing that in your Country such actions are taken held an so lives and the dignity of vulnerable people are saved. I definitely consider that measures like condemning pimps and even clients who encourage the sex exploitation are never enough to put an end to this criminal issues. At the same time, the sentences held against the heads of the prostitution net the article refers to I found them quite little if the damage of the girls who have been used would be taken in consideration. From simply the health of the girls used as prostitutes who are to face sexual illness for their entire lives to getting back their self esteem and meaning of a simple sense of life, the sentence will prove to be too little. These girls will need a whole life to heal their own bodies, which will never happen as well as to heal their souls. The price is highly paid not only for themselves but for their own families and the next generation to come, given the chance to pass sexual diseases to their future children.
I wish in Europe such actions to be held as well but it looks like this it won't happen. There are places where prostitution is taken in consideration to become legal in the near future. But this is Europe and there is China that is doing in the way I believe it should be always done... forbid prostitution, condemn criminal pimps and so prevent girls to fall into the trap that would destroy their life. Though the head of the sexual call-girl ring is now imprisoned, I am sure when he goes out, 14 years later will try it again... or maybe not. Anyway for such perverted people there is no cure whatsoever and so no sentence enough to make them pay for the eveil they perpetrate.
Feb 19, 2012 17:08 Report Abuse
Murder and rape has also always existed. Should we feel sorry for the murderers and rapists also?
Feb 19, 2012 21:21 Report Abuse
Yah? so surely you can explain the flaw in my logic, right?
Feb 19, 2012 21:50 Report Abuse
XinYuren, your logic fails because in your example (murder and rape) the victim has not consented to the act - the assailant has forced him or herself upon them, with the intent of doing them damage. You KNOW this is the logical difference you're missing.. why fish for it?
Prostitution is a consenting act (hopefully...) between the 2 (or more) people involved. It is a business contract - one mutually accepted by both as a win-win situation. The only problem with it is that in this country (and others around the world), it's illegal, and (most unfortunately) immoral. If 'morality' were not such an issue (ie, the need to put others down to feel superior), then the girls wouldn't have the self-esteem issues that were mentioned previously, and also, the practice would be much much safer for all concerned!
You'd be better with the drugs analogy...
Feb 19, 2012 22:25 Report Abuse
You really believe it's a win/win situation? My god! Do you realize the emotional damage this does to women? Of course, you are a man. You just want the sex. In fact, the logic that it's a win situation for a woman who is reduced to selling the most valued thing she has for a few dollars is ridiculous. It may be a "win" for the man (that's even arguable), but it's certainly NOT a win for the prostitute who's self esteem cannot be regained for any amount of money. You speak of morality. Why do you think prostitution is considered immoral and wrong in EVERY civilized society? Because it causes irreparable damage to the girls who are involved in it. Their view of relationships, men and life are changed forever. There are very few who enjoy their job and for many others, it is a form of slavery. And it is illegal. Just like rape and murder. People who knowingly involved themselves in illegal acts do not deserve pity when they are punished...no matter how much the men who exploit them love it. You poor men who have to pay for sex never look beyond that fake smile those girls give you. You don't care enough to even fathom how much pain and desperation those prostitutes must have had to feel in order to resort to such a job. But hey, you got your sex, so it must be a "WIN"!
Feb 20, 2012 04:33 Report Abuse
Rain, I encourage you to please have a look and read about the extent of such old profession it means to people in today's days on this website humantrafficking.org. Definitely I have a visceral rejection against the pimps and I reiterate that there is no condemnation enough to make these foxes to pay for the evil they perpetrate. Exploiting natural weakness and natural inclination to easy sex turn this people a standard of deterioration of the human dignity a lively proves of how badly far we are. Taking advantage and coercing vulnerable young ladies into becoming prostitutes does not plead for mercy even if the guy in the article was crying out loud for it. He felt sorry for himself not for one soul he kept taking advantages out of her...during 4 years. This people have their conscience at peace, eat well, sleep well and are happy. This are the parasites of the human soul who know where to better suck everything out of the human nature weakness. This it makes them immoral, shrewd, opportunistic and criminals. They will never feel sorry for what they do and they will always play the victims like this pimp if that will help them from being convicted. Justice has nothing to do with mercy in this case yet the judge has clearly made the point in saying '' When the circumstances are particularly bad, the sentence can become life in prison or even the death penalty. I don't agree with this at all, I only say the judge took care to make him understand that the circumstances he was found to be guilty make him lucky.
Clients are also guilty as well as the pimps for being part of this misery. They encourage the sex market exploitation to the point that it reach out poor Countries like Cambodia, Philippines and all SE Asia Countries. Talk to victims Rain, dig in their own testimonies and see how much damage lays in the heart of these women whom prematurely, many of them are condemned to never understand happiness. Ask them what they think about this ancestral profession. But most of it I will ask this harsh question if ever you will not be able to see the whole point. What would you do if you hear that your very sister or mother has become a victim of this old profession? Would you still feel compassion or believe such sentence is not fair? Would you still be a client of a call-girl? When you will pay the needed attention, you will give up on any argument you just used and will simply hate the pimps, the clients and all this world that makes such profession to be so old.
My last suggestion, I hope you take it with my simple respect for you but I believe that people will better understand when somehow they are directly confronted with one of the worst misery of our human nature. It is an "imagine that..." suggestion.
Yes, I believe in the will to never tolerate such human nature and fight against it by principles, virtues..hence morality. If needed by condemning both pimps and clients likewise.
Feb 20, 2012 08:21 Report Abuse
|Why do you think prostitution is considered immoral and wrong in EVERY civilized society?| Oh, that's an easy one! Any fool who has studied history and anthropology can answer that! It's because such 'civilised' societies came under the control of monotheistic (NB with that deity being depicted as a MALE) patriarchal rule, and women had their place as equals torn apart, and are now subjected to an inferior position in society. Please, take a look at every civilised society, and find just ONE where women are actually treated, in ALL areas of life.. .AND where prostitution is illegal!
There is one area of the world where prostitution isn't illegal due to monotheism.... it's in a polytheistic region of the world.... but, go and look at who is at the top of the chain... again, another male god!!!
The connection between religion and morality can't be denied, nor can those connections further be ignored between that 'morality' and law. End result? One particular religion or set of beliefs gets to define what goes into the law books...
If you ever happen to find a society where women are actually EQUAL, and there is a female depicted as the top of the local religion, you'll find that prostitution isn't the evil and degradation that people on here make it out to be!
Feb 21, 2012 03:03 Report Abuse
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