DONGGUAN, Guangdong: Karaoke clubs and bar owners in this industrial hub were celebrating yesterday after a potential ban on pole dancing was deleted from a new regulation.

Bosses had feared the worst when an initial draft of a new local government rule for entertainment and recreational venues¹ barred the performances.

But the move was scrapped² for the final version, which was released at the weekend.

"The initial draft to disallow³ pole dancing aimed to nip erotic performances in the bud," said an official surnamed Wei at the culture, broadcasting and press bureau. "But we've found no law in China that forbids pole dancing, so we decided⁴ to delete the very stipulation⁵."

The new regulation will be in force for five years and the U-turn over the ban will be a massive boon⁶ for entertainment companies in the city, which is in Guangdong province, an area already seriously affected⁷ by the global financial crisis.

Liang Shao'ai, who runs a karaoke bar in nearby Chang'an town, was ecstatic.

He told China Daily yesterday: "Pole dancing is very popular among the youth here. If the performances were not allowed our business would definitely be hit.

"Pole dancing is not an erotic performance. It is a healthy performance as long as the organizer does not make it erotic.

"At least we don't need to reshape our facility or think up new acts to attract customers. You know, the business this year is much poorer than before."

Wei said the regulation has other aspects that will prevent any erotic performances at the city's venues, including a detailed⁸ stipulation to make "all balconies transparent⁹" to people on the street outside.

The local government will also launch a crackdown on some 200 unlicensed facilities this year, targeting illegal performances, venues with safety issues and infringements¹⁰ on intellectual property rights by karaoke bars.