Individuals may be using the guise of selling second-hand air conditioners to buy and sell sexual services on the Alibaba-operated second-hand goods and services platform Xianyu, according to app users who posted about an alternative use of the keyword “second-hand air conditioners” on Chinese X-like platform Weibo. Why it matters: In China, the buying and selling of sexual services is illegal, prohibited under the country’s public morality and social order laws. Details: Terms such as “second-hand air conditioners,” “coins,” “Apple SIM card ejector,” and “Giant bike” have allegedly become code words suspected for selling sex on the online trading platform, according to comments posted on social media. A screenshot posted by a netizen shows a page from a seller on Xianyu purportedly listing a second-hand air conditioner in 90%-new condition, with a promise of home installation. Some Xianyu users looking to buy a second-hand Giant bicycle came across a local seller on the platform.