Dongguan’s sex industry has found itself in the crosshairs of China Central Television (CCTV). The broadcaster recently went undercover in five towns within Dongguan’s city limit, and found that 12 hotels (only 12?) were providing sexual services to customers.

The news, of course, doesn’t come as a surprise to people in these parts. Dongguan’s sex trade is so mature there’s even an iPhone app that tells you which saunas are currently well-staffed with sex workers.

Global Times says this is all happening right under the noses of local police, who seem disinterested in doing anything about it:

According to China’s Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security, prostitutes and customers are subject to detention and fines. Organizers are subject to criminal penalties.

However, hotel managers didn’t seem worried about possible police raids or penalties. “We are fine. Being open to you now is proof,” one female manager of a hotel in Humen, which is administered by Dongguan, assured the reporter. A clerk from another hotel said it is safe to buy sex there. “No police are coming, we would have been put out of business long ago if they had come.”

A CCTV reporter called the police twice to report prostitution in two separate hotels. The phone operator promised to send police to investigate, but no police showed up.

Comments online excoriated the inaction by local police, and some suggested that China should also set up special “sex zones.”

Is that what Dongguan already is?

Obviously the locals aren’t thrilled with the city’s reputation, which spawned this video extolling other virtues of the city.

The CCTV exposé shows that sex sells, and arguably doesn’t sell anywhere better than Dongguan.

(h/t @raykwong)