Web host tests boundaries with sexually charged shows

By The Beijing News Source:Global Times

A screenshot of Wang's live-streaming show

Wang Ruier was running late. It was 10pm one day in April, and 4,626 viewers had already signed on to her channel on Douyu TV, a Chinese online platform for live videos, waiting to see her nightly show, which was supposed to start at 9:30. "Show up, bitch!" one viewer commented impatiently. 

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When the screen eventually lit up, viewers saw Wang in a KTV room. The 23-year-old was wearing a black camisole and ripped skinny pants, showing off her sculpted shoulders and generous cleavage. "Babes, sorry for being late. I'll make it up to you with a dance," she said to the webcam in a sensual, fake Taiwanese accent.

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When sexy dance music started, Wang Ruier swayed her hips and ran her fingers through her hair as she stepped onto the sofa with one leg. Squatting down on the sofa, she then extended one leg toward the webcam and started stroking it slowly. The show had just begun. 

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Wang used to be a model, actress and club dancer. Last December, she found a new job - as a Web host. Her shows, which often feature her dancing in revealing costumes, attract thousands of real-time viewers each night.

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One dance later, viewership had soared to 12,000. Wang returned to her computer to check the live comments from her viewers as she blew kisses to the webcam.

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Crackdown

Wang is one of millions of Web hosts trying to make it in China's burgeoning live-streaming industry, which attracts millions of viewers. However, since many of these shows contain seedy content, the authorities have started to crack down on them in recent months.

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After several couples broadcast themselves having sex live, China's Ministry of Culture investigated 19 live-streaming sites on April 14 for "allegedly providing content that contains pornography or violence," including Douyu TV, where Wang had become one of the most popular female hosts.

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On April 18, more than 20 of these companies signed a self-disciplinary agreement. Under this agreement, hosts are required to register their real names and all videos have to be backed up for at least 15 days for inspection. Most of the requirements are targeted at pornography.

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Some sites immediately slapped even more restrictions on the hosts. Men, for example, are banned from posing in their underpants.

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As a result, Wang became much more modest in the way she dressed. She firmly believes that she exhibits a unique sexual magnetism that can instantly attract a man without having to strip off. "It only takes one second to click, and that's my invincible charm,"  she said. 

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To improve her looks, she started to frequent gyms, and filled her closet with hundreds of shoes. In 2013, she started to post sexy selfies on Weibo, making her an online celebrity.

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