Production halted at Chinese factory making 'childlike' sex dolls

The issue is in the spotlight after Shein announced a global ban on the sale of sex dolls with a childlike appearance.

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The customisable dolls were reportedly being sold on major online shopping sites and social media platforms.

Chinese state-owned news outlet The Paper said that local officials were attaching "great importance" to the issue.

Last month, online retailer Shein - which started in China but is now headquartered in Singapore - banned the sale of all sex dolls globally after a public outcry over it selling dolls with a childlike appearance.

The company said at the time it had "strengthened its keyword blacklist to further prevent attempted circumvention of product listing restrictions by sellers".