Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

A video of a man and woman having sexual intercourse against a backdrop of Shanghai's iconic skyline has, like most Chinese-made sex tapes, gone viral on social media. The clip, dubbed "Lujiazui sex tape," is different from all the others, however, as it says more about our beloved city - skyline, stocks and scandals - than the sex act itself.

With some of Shanghai's most recognized landmarks in the horizon, including the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, a young couple do it doggy-style pressed up against a panoramic window overlooking it all. Except for the squeaky-toy noises of the woman, it really could be a scenic video worthy of the tourism industry.

And herein is the underlying issue behind the video, for conspiracy theories abound that the 29-second clip just might be part of some promotional stunt on the part of the hotel it was allegedly filmed in or one of the buildings seen in the backdrop.

Sharp-eyed netizens have already uncovered the identity of the woman, who is a married mother working as an analyst at one of Lujiazui's many securities brokerage firms. What's more, the man whom she bent over for is NOT her husband, but an old college flame. The woman has allegedly posted an online declaration that says she will take legal action against any netizens who harass her. Hmmm, maybe shoulda thought about that before making the video, you vixen!

The Lujiazui sex tape reminds us of last year's Uniqlo sex tape scandal, which was shot inside a dressing room in Beijing Sanlitun's store by two university students. Although the Japanese retailer denied any involvement in that video's production, the Sanlitun store - and the specific dressing room where it was filmed - instantly became a Mecca-like destination for curious netizens from around the world after it made international headlines.

But the Uniqlo sex tape is nothing compared to the explosiveness of the Lujiazui scandal. Firstly, it was filmed in Shanghai, a metropolis most associated with decadence in Asia. A survey in 2010 named Shanghai "sexiest" among all Chinese cities. Qipao, the curve-hugging outfit for women that has become an international symbol of sexiness, was invented in 1930s Shanghai. Not to mention Shanghai's night life paradise, with countless bars, clubs and hot women. What's most surprising is that it took so long for someone to make a video like this.

Based on the world history of sex tape scandals, usually the face of the woman along with her private parts are placed on full, anatomical display for the pleasure of the man filming her. Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and even Hong Kong's own Edison Chen, who in 2008 took hundreds of XXX-rated photos of numerous female Chinese celebrities, all which leaked online, are prime examples of how sex tapes should be done properly if you want to become "Internet famous."

But the Lujiazui sex tape differs from all these in that the woman is not the main attraction - Shanghai is! Viewers can't help but admire the creativity and audacity of the man who came up with such a brilliant idea. Some netizens joked that the Shanghai government should be in debt to the couple because it serves as one of the most widely viewed Shanghai promotional videos ever produced.

Sina Weibo, which has scraped the clip and related threads from its site, announced last week that it was seeking the source of the tape's original uploader. Meanwhile on WeChat, the word "Lujiazui" has become the hottest trending topic as the vid continues to spread like VD in Shanghai's financial circles.

As a result, the stock price of a Beijing-based furniture company surged 10 percent last Thursday after netizens identified it as the manufacturer of the white chair that the couple is having sex on. The Four Seasons Hotel, where the footage was supposedly taken, may also start to see that specific room booked for the rest of the year as sex-scandal junkies flock to the G-spot of the Internet's latest viral video. I'm pretty sure hotel management are not complaining.

The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Global Times.