DONGGUAN lifted a ban on pole dancing performances at city nightclubs in a revised rule formulated to regulate local recreational businesses last week.

The ban, which has been a controversial issue since it was listed in a draft rule, was groundless because of lack of legal support, the city’s cultural bureau told the Guangzhou Daily.

The new regulation, which will expire May 7, 2014, also stated that a nightclub must cover no less than 200 square meters, instead of the 1,000 square meters stipulated in the draft.

No nightclubs are allowed in residential buildings, museums, libraries and cultural relics buildings, according to the rule. And recreational venues must be at least 200 meters from schools, residential estates, hospitals and government institutions.

Pole dancing, a combination of dancing and gymnastics, involves dancing sensually with a vertical pole and is often used in strip clubs and gentlemen’s clubs in Western countries.

But nowadays, pole dancing is becoming popular in many countries, including China, as a means of exercise for women who want to keep a good figure. The dance is said to help office workers alleviate work pressure, become more confident and improve their sense of rhythm, according to fitness experts.

(Mu Zi)