Do not solicit prostitution: the default band is detention for 10 to 15 days, not paying a fine and walking away

Being caught is not paying a small fine and walking away. The statute’s default band is detention for 10 to 15 days, with a further fine of up to 5000 yuan. Only when circumstances are relatively light is it detention for under 5 days or a fine of up to 1000 yuan. Also, knowingly having syphilis or gonorrhea and still soliciting is a crime, punishable by up to 5 years.

Cost

No money and no time — just do not do it.

Benefit

Public Security Administration Punishment Law Article 78: for prostitution or solicitation of prostitution, detention of not less than ten days and not more than fifteen days, and a fine of not more than five thousand yuan may be imposed as well. When circumstances are relatively light, detention of not more than five days or a fine of not more than one thousand yuan. Soliciting customers in a public place: detention of not more than five days or a fine of not more than one thousand yuan. Article 79: luring, harboring, or introducing another to prostitution: detention of not less than ten days and not more than fifteen days, and a fine of not more than five thousand yuan may be imposed as well. When circumstances are relatively light, detention of not more than five days or a fine of not less than one thousand yuan and not more than two thousand yuan. Article 87: staff of hotels, food and drink businesses, cultural entertainment businesses, taxis, and similar units who tip off offenders when police investigate prostitution or solicitation, or who otherwise provide conditions for those activities: detention of not less than ten days and not more than fifteen days. Criminal Law Article 360 is the crime of spreading sexually transmitted disease: knowingly having syphilis, gonorrhea, or another serious STD and engaging in prostitution or solicitation brings fixed-term imprisonment of not more than five years, criminal detention, or public surveillance, and a fine (nationwide; Public Security Administration Punishment Law in force from 1 January 2026)

Notes

This detention is administrative detention; you go into a detention facility — it is not paying a fine and leaving. Introducing others or providing a venue is punished as heavily as soliciting yourself; Article 79’s band covers that. Staff at hotels or KTVs who tip off guests are likewise detained for 10 to 15 days under Article 87. Criminal Law Article 360 formerly had a second paragraph on “soliciting underage girls for prostitution”; Amendment (IX) in 2015 deleted it. Such acts are now punished as rape with heavier punishment; see item 18 of this section (no sexual relations if the other person is under 14). Signs such as “home wellness” or “massage” do not change the nature; the actual acts decide. Risks of STDs and HIV are in Section 1, item 30 (use a condom for the whole sexual act) and Section 13, item 38 (get PEP within 72 hours). What to watch at entertainment venues themselves is in Section 22.

Sources · 2

1. 全国人大常委会 (2025). 治安管理处罚法（2025 年修订，第七十八、七十九、八十七条）. spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/202506/t20250627_699863.shtml
2. 全国人大常委会. 中华人民共和国刑法（经刑法修正案十一修正的整合文本）第三百六十条. jtgl.beijing.gov.cn/jgj/jgxx/flfg/fl/11033925…（北京市公安交通管理局转载）；全国人大常委会 (2015). 刑法修正案（九）（第四十三条，删去刑法第三百六十条第二款）. spp.gov.cn/spp/fl/201802/t20180205_364562.shtml