"Life is short. Have an affair," Ashley Madison's tagline reads. (Photo : Reuters)
According to media outlet Duowei News, Chinese people were among those whose personal details were published following the massive hack of Canada-based website, Ashley Madison. The website is popular among individuals who are looking to engage in discreet extramarital affairs.
Aside from names and email addresses, the personal sexual preferences of members were also released to the public.
Duowei also stated in their report that there are over 1,000 Chinese account holders from each of China's major cities, such as Beijing, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Guangzhou. Shanghai, on the other hand, is estimated to be the home of approximately 8,953 Ashley Madison users.
The large numbers of Chinese account holders indicate that despite the general impression of conservatism persistent throughout the country, China is experiencing what others may call a period of sexual liberation.
Aside from secret consumption of pornography and online sexual services, the growing number of adulterers in the country reflects this period, which Duowei likens to that of the sexual revolution that took place in the Western world in the 1960s.
In a 2012 survey cited by Duowei, 4.2 percent of Chinese women engaged in extramarital affairs, a number comparatively higher than the rate for women from other countries. Chinese men, on the other hand, have a cheating rate of 13.6 percent.
China is also experiencing an increasing number of corrupt officials involved in extramarital affairs, which adds some credence to the 2012 research report.
Factors that can cause Chinese men and women to cheat include traditional customs such as arranged marriages and filial obligations, as well as the pressures of reproduction.
Most Chinese people also consider sex as a duty to start reproduction, which leaves little room for sexual gratification.
