Beijing's infamous Passion Nightclub had its Chinese sign removed and put its Internet domain name up for sale, though police are expected to lift a six-month ban on the operation next month, local media have reported.
Police denied the moves had anything to do with them, while others speculated that the former top nightclub in the capital might be transformed into a KTV.
The iron gates to the club, which was also known as the Heaven Earth nightclub, were locked closed on Thursday and there were no signs of activity on the premises.
The four large white Chinese characters meaning Heaven Earth have been removed from the sign, the Beijing Times reported on Thursday.
A Beijing resident, surnamed Sun, who lives near the Passion Nightclub, said the nightclub's Chinese sign was removed on Tuesday.
"Perhaps the nightclub is just being redecorated," he added.
According to some insiders, the Passion Nightclub will probably be turned into a KTV, though the club's management has yet to confirm the information.
On May 11, one month into a crackdown on prostitution, gambling and drugs, Beijing police seized 118 escort girls at the Passion Nightclub and ordered it to suspend business for six months for providing shelter for prostitution, along with outstanding fire and safety issues.
Thirty-nine other entertainment venues, including the No 8 Club KTV, the Legend Banquet Nightclub, and the Sunworld Dynasty Hotel KTV, which allegedly provided obscene shows and were believed to be shelters for prostitution, were also ordered to suspend business for six months.
Questions:
1. What was the name of the nightclub?
2. When was the Chinese sign removed?
3. How many escort girls were detained?
Answers:
1. Passion.
2. Tuesday.
3. 118.
(中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑)
About the broadcaster:
Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.