Despite contemporary censorship in the People's Republic of China today, pornography in China has an extensive history. It is difficult to say how extensive, as scholars continue to dispute the purpose of existing erotic art pieces.[1] Sexual education materials date back to the 1st century CE,[2] while the first recorded erotic novels appeared in the late Ming dynasty.[3][4] The innovation of the printing press led to the popularity of erotic art and both the Ming and Qing dynasties saw sporadic attempts to suppress such material. The Republic of China of the early 20th century saw heightened attempts to police pornography, which continues under the People's Republic of China (PRC).[5]

Pornography is currently illegal in China. It remains one of the most heavily censored topics by the Chinese Communist Party.[6] However, pornography is still accessible via the Internet,[7][8] resulting in an increase in pornography use during the 2000s.[9] Nationwide surveys between the years 2000 and 2015 revealed "more than 70 percent of men aged 18 to 29 said they had watched porn in the past year".[10] A study conducted in 2012 found that of a sample of university students, a 57% majority had consumed pornography.[11]

PRC authorities have closed down many pornographic services in recent years, but an ongoing cat and mouse game between the two has led providers and users to find other ways to share adult content, both self-made and pirated from other pornographic film studios. In this aspect the development of the nation's online porn industry reflects the overall development of China's Internet.[12]

History

Although there are references to older works, there exists little to no definitive pieces of erotic art prior to the Ming period — what might by modern standards be considered "pornography." The late Ming saw a period of sexual openness which produced erotic novels and woodblock prints.[13]: 317-318  Sexually explicit novels of the Ming period include Ruyijun zhuan ("The Lord of Perfect Satisfaction") and Xiuta yeshi ("The Embroidered Couch"). During the Qing, these novels would become stigmatized and access to them was limited.[14]

After the introduction of the lithograph in the 19th century, print production was simplified and markets became saturated with both foreign and domestic nude photographs.[15] The selling of sexually explicit books and art was eventually banned by the Qing government, a ban which continued after the 1911 Revolution. Numerous vendors were arrested in Beijing during the late imperial and Republican periods due to the selling or possession of erotic material.[16]

Legality

Statutes

Criminal code

The Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China prescribes the production and distribution of pornography as punishable offences. It does not prescribe possession to be illegal. It defines pornography as[17]

As punishment, the law provides for fines, public surveillance of the individual, or imprisonment not exceeding two years. In cases where the act is deemed to be for-profit, the maximum imprisonment period is to be three years.[18]