The Chinese government has banned "sexually provocative sounds" on television and pulled the plug on a show recreating infamous crimes by women ahead of a major Communist Party meeting next month.
The order, issued by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, is the latest in a series of ordinances, which have included shutting down reality shows featuring sex changes and plastic surgery and banning talent contests during prime-time.
"Sexually suggestive advertisements and scenes showing how women are influenced into a life of crime are detrimental to society," The SARFT said in a statement posted on its Web site on Wednesday, referring to its decision to axe "Red Question Mark", a crime documentary.
"Commercials containing sexually provocative sounds or tantalizing language as well as vulgar advertisements for breast enhancement and female underwear are banned, effective immediately," the SARFT notice added. The watchdog also ordered an end to programs with titles including the names of "sex-related drugs, products or medical institutions".
A total of 1,466 advertisements worth 2 billion yuan (132 million pounds) in revenues had been stripped from China's airways since August, SARFT noted, citing department statistics.