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A Chinese Sexual Revolution: Is it in or Out? Printable Version PRINTABLE VERSION
by Michael Newton-McLaughlin, United States Feb 29, 2004
Culture   Opinions
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It’s 3AM, the lights are off and some old school Boys II Men is playing in the background. The scene is hot and heavy as two are “doing what they do on the discovery channel”. Suddenly, the cops knock the door down. They rush in, yelling. The two innocent love-makers are separated and are told that they will be expelled from school for immoral behavior. It seems rather odd that intercourse could be a cause for expulsion. Yet at the Chongqing Institute of Posts and Telecommunications, in Sichuan, China – school officials expelled a couple for just such an “offense.” Xia Lin and Xiao Ma were both expelled after undergoing a medical examination determining that Xia Ma was pregnant. The couple was instructed to admit their ‘guilt’ to the university; yet neither would. Xiao Ma responded: “I cannot reconcile myself to being charged with immoral behavior and sexual misconduct. I gave myself to the man I love, and have no regrets, no matter what consequences await me.” In a country where thirty years ago, people were not allowed to date, perhaps this statement is a radical detraction from social norms in China.

The tragedy that has transpired for the two lovers makes it hard to believe that a Sexual Revolution is occurring in China, and yet, leaves little doubt. People internationally have offered support to the two sexual martyrs. Liu Xiaoli, whose daughter attends Chongqing, said: “What’s the point of expelling them? Everyone knows young people are doing this…when you have so many healthy young people together, it’s natural.”

Students are not the only promiscuous ones, though. Pan Suiming, President of the Sexology Research Institute attached to the People’s University of China insists that nearly three-quarters of all 25-29 year olds are having pre-marital sex. In a 2003 poll of China’s largest Cosmopolis, Shainghai, the study shows that over 30% have had pre-marital sex. In contrast, a similar 1997 poll revealed 40% of the people had not hugged or kissed prior to marriage. Li Yinhe, another sexologist found more expansive differences. At the end of the ‘80s, his report concludes that about 16% of people across China engaged in pre-marital sex. Today, he claims, that number is closer to Pan’s figure at around 70%. Mr. Pan argues that this trend is a sharp contrast to that of a generation earlier, and it has been steadily growing since 1980. China’s history regarding sex is reminiscent of most other societies- intolerant and puritanical. Yet, as Pan notes, “People need to realize that this sexual revolution is directly related to the Cultural Revolution and the repression that lasted for so long,” indeed, the American Sexual Revolution in the 1960s was very much tied to ideas of liberation and freedom.

‘Freedom’ seems to be a now common expression in China. “G-strings are cool… they empower sexual freedom and choice,” remarked a PR person on one of the hottest selling items to hit China, as quoted in the Miami Herald last December. Mu Zimei- pen name for sex columnist Li Li gives further evidence that the bourgeoning sexual counter culture. She emphasizes freedom as a cornerstone of her writing. “I want freedom. I don’t care about morality. I have the right to make love and the right to enjoy it. I like short relationships…that’s just the way I am.” Li has an openness that would put most Berkeley students to shame. First, she published her sexual encounter, in full detail, with a married rock star on her web-journal. If that was not contemptuous, she also posts sex tips and a detailed account of all of her sexual excursions which she claimed at least two sex sessions a week with various men, accruing over 70 since this past summer. Maybe far from Jenna Jamison’s record, but then, Li is not getting paid. The Ministry of Propaganda has prohibited the publishing of her semi-fictional first sexual experiences “Ashes of Love.” “There is an aggressive search for individualism and personal liberation occurring among China’s young- and Mu Zimei is an example,” said Victor Yuan, of the leading polling agency, Horizon. Other remarkable changes to how the population views sex include Beijing’s first sex culture exhibit, which was shut down after it received too much attention. Second, Lui Dalin, director and curator of the Chinese Sexual Culture Museum in Shanghai has more than 6,000 exhibits on display- that included sex toys. The museum, as well as the skin-tight and increasingly scantily clad youth in China’s metropolises is something that could not have been seen thirty years ago when the standard apparel was baggy clothes donned ‘Mao suits.’ Indeed, the taboos of yesterday are today’s sensations.

There are just a few problems with the sexual phenomena that is enrapturing China: it comes with strings attached that are not so alluring. For instance, AIDS has been steadily increasing in China in a correlation with increase in unprotected sex. The World Bank Report, released last November, indicates that 30 percent increase in HIV infection rates between 1995 and 2000 and a 58 percent increase in 2001 alone. While AIDS may take the limelight as a Sexually Transmitted Infection, other STIs are also on a rise in China’s urban cities. Yet another cited problem is prostitution. James Farrer, author of ‘Opening Up: Youth Sex Culture and Market Reform in Shanghai’ says, “The average county seat has a red light district.” These side affects seem to be taken with almost a whimsical attitude by many, a part of any sexual revolution that must be weathered. However, there is unfortunately, another societal factor that may have far lasting ramifications on the sexual transcendence of Chinese society: deliverance into privatization.





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