Chinese couples lock lips in kissing competition... all for a £90 prize

The sight of dozens of shoppers passionately kissing each other in a mall would be surprising in any country, but especially so in China where public affection is frowned upon.

But that's exactly what bemused shoppers stumbled upon at Zheng Xingyuan Mall, in the city of Xi'an in northern China's Shaanxi province, which had organised a public kissing competition.

But it was no ordinary snog fest - the couples were challenged to come up with the most difficult kissing position in order to take out the prize of 888 Chinese yuan - about £90.
Lip service: Couples compete in a kissing competition at Zheng Xingyuan Mall, Xiían, in China

Lip service: Couples compete in a kissing competition at Zheng Xingyuan Mall, Xiían, in China
Creative: This couple went to great lengths in their bid to win a 888 yuan prize for the most complex kissing competition at a Chinese shopping mall

Creative: This couple went to great lengths in their bid to win a 888 yuan prize for the most complex kissing competition at a Chinese shopping mall
Smooching spectacle: About 12 couples took part in the competition as bemused shoppers looked on

Smooching spectacle: About 12 couples took part in the competition as bemused shoppers looked on

The offer of a cash prize even tempted two male friends to jump onto the stage and kissed in various positions, including one pinning the other to the ground, and holding him suspended in the air mid-kiss.

However, the top prize winners turned out to be a couple who were total strangers before the contest.

Their karma sutra kissing wowed the judges and they walked off with the prize.

The mall said the final result was not important and gave all couples a free box of drinks for taking part.

'The competition is to let people in love express themselves and enjoy the moment,' said Mr Bai, spokesman for the mall.

Nairobi sex workers demand recognition

Nairobi sex workers have demonstrated outside City Hall protesting harassment by City Council askaris.

Decked out in red fitting-shirts with covered faces they shouted: “Sex workers’ rights are human rights” as they demanded an end to discrimination.

Daughtie Ogutu, a founding member of the Kenya Sex Workers Alliance said that she had experienced firsthand harassment by the ruthless city askaris.

They also demanded an end to discrimination that they face in healthcare facilities and while seeking access to legal aid.

Ogutu said: “It is time that the society stops its hypocrisy on sex workers; they are human beings and have human rights. We are demanding that the government should (sic) recognise our rights.”