Of all the Internet issues facing China, this takes the cake... the use of online dating sites to promote prostitution!

China's Internet supervisory body, Beijing Online News and Information Panel, comprising government officials, experts, and representatives of Internet users, has accused not less than 12 Chinese dating sites of promoting prostitution.

One of these 12 Web sites, which claims to be a lonely hearts dating service, reportedly carried a posting from a young woman who described herself as a 'professional pleasure giver'.

A statement issued by the Beijing Online News and Information Panel says that the content in some of these Web sites is extremely shocking. The 12 accused sites are found to be packed with detailed information on the sex trade that includes service items, pricing, and contact information. The statement goes on to categorically say that over 95 percent of the content on these Web sites is sexually explicit.

Min Dahong, Director of Beijing Online News and Information Panel, said that aiding and abetting the spread of prostitution information in the pursuit of a higher hit rate might be against the law.

The panel has also accused the Web sites of promoting the more explicit sex-related postings by marking them with icons.

The 12 Web sites have been ordered by the Beijing Online News and Information Panel to clean up their act by June 1st (tomorrow).