ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the sociocultural and politico-economic structures that shape the sexual practices of China's growing class of wealthy urban businessmen and government officials, who are sometimes referred to as mobile men with money. The development of the term mobile men with money in late 2004 placed some needed attention on the issue, but the national response is challenged by the global paradigms that structure many international public health programmes. The chapter reports on findings from a larger study that examines how contemporary trends of masculinity and male sexual culture in contemporary urban China can expose men to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. Fluency in Mandarin Chinese allowed author to conduct interviews directly with research participants. The feasting and drinking that help lubricate relationships in contemporary China are reminiscent of the proper rituals described for state dinners in the Book of Rites, the Confucian text that established standards for social forms, ancient rites and court ceremonies.
