The neighbourhood council Amsterdam Centrum has announced it will no longer allow any new massage parlors in the centre of Amsterdam.

In a few years time, the number of these massage salons has gone up from 15 to 40. Els Iping (who chairs the the neighbour council) says there are 'strong indications' from police reports that massages sometimes have so-called 'happy endings'.

With these sexual services, the sex industry in the Red Light District has moved underground.

Apparently, all of these massage parlors are run by Chinese entrepreneurs. Amsterdam Centrum has a rather sizeable 'Chinatown' in the area of Zeedijk, Nieuwmarkt Square and Geldersekade, very close to the Red Light District.

Rumours say that sexual services are also provided by some Chinese barber shops.

The prohibition on new massage parlors is effective immediately.