BEIJING, April 23 (Xinhua) -- A statement from the Ministry of Culture on Thursday revealed a little known fact about funerals in rural areas: Strippers are invited to attract more attendees.

The statement, which detailed two cases, said such practice distorted the cultural value of the entertainment business and such acts were uncivilized.

In both cases, in north China's Hebei Province and east China's Jiangsu, strippers were invited to stage obscene performances, it said. The organizers and performers have been punished.

The ministry will continue to work with the police to stamp out the practice.

Stripping is illegal in China. Having exotic performances of this nature at funerals highlights the trappings of modern life in China, whereby vanity and snobbery prevail over traditions.