By Jianli Yang and Jeanette Tong
China’s sex industry, which is booming despite official prohibitions, reveals deep structural and human rights issues at the intersection of economic hardship, systemic gender imbalance, and weak law enforcement. The rise in prostitution and the surge in the trafficking of women—both domestic and transnational—underscore not only failures in policy but also the profound vulnerabilities faced by women within and beyond China’s borders.
The resurgence of prostitution in China is closely tied to the country’s economic liberalization policies that began in the late 20th century. As traditional industries declined and rural populations migrated to urban centers, many women—particularly those with limited education—found themselves with few viable employment options.
Economic downturns and rising unemployment have only intensified this trend, pushing more women into sex work as a means of survival. Estimates suggest that more than 10 million people are engaged in sex work across China, a figure that points to a systemic crisis rather than isolated criminality.
While the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) enforces a strict ban on prostitution, enforcement is often erratic and disproportionately targets sex workers rather than clients or organizers. This punitive approach fails to address the underlying socioeconomic drivers of the industry. Compounding the problem, there have been documented cases of officials themselves being implicated in the sex trade, highlighting both hypocrisy and possible complicity within the party’s ranks.
This article first appeared in The Diplomat on May 28, 2025
