- Title: CHINA: Annual Sex Expo set to sizzle up Shanghai
- Date: 11th March 2011
- Summary: CROWD SURROUNDING BOOTH WHERE JAPANESE AV STAR AI HANEDA MAKES AN APPEARANCE HANEDA POSING WITH SEX TOY PHOTOGRAPHERS HANEDA POSING FOR PHOTOS
- Embargoed: 26th March 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: China, China
- Country: China
- Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVAAH7ARQA3V7I5RW0D3F0D1HHHL
- Story Text: International and Chinese companies vie for business at annual sex expo in Shanghai.
The annual China International Adult Toys and Reproductive Health Exhibition, one of the renowned trading fairs in the industry also known as the sex expo, kicked off in Shanghai on Friday (March 11).
Some 140 Chinese and foreign companies that deal with sex-related products took part in the erotic expo, which was set up to develop the industry in China, a country that has already become the biggest manufacturer of such devices.
In the exclusive and trade-only show, items on display included everything from vibrators, dildos, love dolls, anal stimulators, bondage gear, lube, erotic furniture, piercing, condoms, lingerie, S&M gear, sex-related medicines, to we-have-no-idea-what-that-does-but-it-looks-scary products.
Hidenori Yamazaki, the project manager of World Field Network LTD., was confident in promoting his products and expanding his business in China via the sex expo.
"About two years ago, we exhibited our products at a show in Macau and there were many customers from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan expressed interest in our products. Our booth was very popular so we thought we could succeed in the Chinese market," he said.
Over 2,000 business buyers observing a positive market prospect and regular customers looking to add a little spark to their sex lives swarmed into the exhibition hall as Japanese models modelled different kinds of sex toys on stage.
Although China is also the biggest buyer of sex aids in the world given its population, the country's traditional attitudes towards sex means sales on a per capita basis have even more room for growth.
Rachel Zhang, the marketing co-ordinator for Lelo said Chinese people need to know more about the sex toys.
"We find that when we have some (marketing) events, young people would enthusiastically come and join. Everyone would be interested in these products and they would come forth and ask about it. I think Chinese people are not conservative; it is just that they lack knowledge about these products. They might not know how to use them, or why they should use them, and what kind of fun can be derived from using them," she said.
Sex and sex-related topics still remain a taboo in the Communist state.
However, 26-year-old Lin Kai said younger-generation Chinese are quite open-minded to adult entertainment.
"I don't think sex toys are a Western product. I think Japan is pretty advanced in having these products. Japan is a traditional Asian country and there are conservative in some ways. But they are world leaders in this industry. I think Chinese people, especially those born in the 1980s or 1990s, are more open these days. They are not so conservative like the older generation," he said.
The sex expo will last for three days as organisers expect more visitors during the weekend.
Last year's event, also held in Shanghai, attracted some 11,000 visitors including 3,000 traders. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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