Shanghai, November 20Reuters)-
Sex toys are not hard to find in China.
They are sold in "adult health" stores across the country, in the hotel's mini bar, and even at the checkout counter in some convenience stores, next to gum and candy.
However, just 30 years ago, a magazine published a photo of a couple kissing on the cover, sparking public criticism.
In China, people's attitude towards sex is "face", starting from the beginning of the general Communist government's reform and opening-up campaign in the late 1970 s and being promoted by the Internet, industry insiders said, this creates an excellent business opportunity for the sex toy industry.
The market will grow to about 40 billion yuan ($6. 4 billion)
According to Linde, an online retailer of sex toys, it predicted that by 2014, it would be about 10 billion yuan from the end of last year. oyeah. com. cn.
"In five years, sex toys will become a common commodity for daily use," he told Reuters . ".
"Sex toys will be a key element of fashion lifestyle.
"Sex toys have become ubiquitous and can even buy a variety of vibrators at the convenience store of FamilyMart Co. , Ltd. in Shanghai.
The price tag sold by the cashier is between $15 and $17, along with condoms.
In August, the two private equity companies jointly invested 0. 3 billion yuan to invest in China's largest sex toy manufacturer, aihealth Technology Co. , Ltd. , highlighting expectations for a strong upward trajectory in domestic sales.
Sex toys have been in China for centuries.
According to Peng Xiaohui, a professor of sexuality at Huazhong Normal University, Chinese emperor bines, who failed to find sexual satisfaction, often turned to them and also had male sex toys in the central city of Wuhan.
After the Communist Party took over the country in 1949, their use was forced underground and policies aimed at suppressing people's personal desires, including romance and sex, were adopted to support the ideas of revolution and collectivism.
Even teenagers are officially banned from becoming obsessed with each other.
"We can say that after 1949, Chinese society is more conservative than ancient China," Peng said . ".
With the social and economic reforms that began in the 1970 s, things have changed, but many Chinese still hold conservative views on certain sexual elements such as homosexuality and pornography.
Pornographic websites and publications are banned, while young gay people get married in order to conform to society.
But over the past decade, the topic has become an increasingly open debate, mainly due to the Internet.
Fang Gang, director of the Institute for Sex and gender studies at Beijing Forestry University, said many online communities, such as gay and lesbian communities and communities seeking partner swaps, have emerged in recent years.
State of this country
Run broadcaster played a show hosted by a controversial sexologist, in which he called for the legalization of gay marriage, while the annual sex deal last month in Guangzhou, southeast China attracted 250,000
Sex is more than just a physical act, Fang said.
"This is a barometer of the whole society.
"As society is more free, attitudes towards sex are more free, and vice versa," he added . ".
Lin says about 70% of his clients are men, most of them in their 20 s and early 30 s.
Most purchases
The favorite is the double vibrator.
For their girlfriend.
In the Yamete Love Store, a residential area in the center of Shanghai, customers can browse commodities from inflatable dolls to sexy costumes in a low environment
Key lights when music is played.
Most goods are imported from Japan and Sweden at prices ranging from $100 to $210.
However, most shoppers still seem to prefer shopping online.
Candice Zheng, 25, said: "I think it's too embarrassing to buy any sex toys in the actual store . "year-
Old office workers in southern Shanghai's Zhejiang province.
"I just ordered them from the internetline shops. ” (
Report from Shanghai newsroom;
Edited by Takada and Elaine Lies)