Posted By: Mark Thatcher

Mon Nov 13, 7:18 AM ET

BEIJING (AFP) - Chinese farmers are flocking to illegal strip shows and gambling dens as they seek to fill a cultural void in rural areas.
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An editorial in the leading People's Daily lamented that disappearing rural folk traditions were being replaced by "striptease and gambling joints."

In one town in central Henan province, "dozens of strippers were occupying sheds along with heavily patronized gambling joints at a festival organized by the government of Duanji township in Gushi county," the editorial said Monday.

"Parents, many with children, (watched) naked women gyrating to loud music at the 'tourism and culture festival'."

Local government officials failed to take action when told of the illegal entertainment, the paper said, apparently more interested in the economic returns of the activities.

The editorial lamented the choices that the nation's rural dwellers were making as they sought to fill their lives with more activities as their livilihoods improved, the editorial said.

The paper called on writers and artists to pay greater attention to the "cultural needs" of Chinese farmers.

Once-popular films about rural life were on the decline while traditional local operas were also disappearing, it added.

"When Chinese farmers have enough food and clothing, what will fill the vacuum in their hearts?" the editorial asked.

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