The Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild on Wednesday condemned the increasing circulation and uploading of obscene photos on the Internet, purportedly of local celebrities.

The latest example posted online Tuesday was a photo of a partially dressed woman resembling actress Cecilia Cheung. Other victims have included pop stars Edison Chen and Gillian Chung, who both appear in bed together semi-naked.

Alan Tam, the guild's chairman, said the issue had been elevated to a social topic. "The circulation of such obscene photos has created a bad atmosphere in society," he said.

Tam warned people to take care with their personal digital files.

Edison Chen and Gillian Chung in this still from a music video. (file photo: sina.com.cn)

A guild board member, Astrid Chan, said obscene photos of members of the public had also been uploaded, setting a bad example for youngsters.

She said the artists involved had yet to get in touch with the guild, but the management company of one had been in contact.

Chen's management company, Rich and Famous, confirmed it had reported the matter to police. Chen is out of town for an indefinite period, a company spokesman said.

"We believe this incident was more likely a joke in bad taste," a spokesman said. "But it appears (the person who put up the photos) has an intention to attack Edison deliberately and we should stop that."

Chung's label, Emperor Entertainment, also reported the matter to police. Her company insisted the photos were manipulated with computer software and urged the media not to publish the photos.

Hong Kong police launched an investigation Tuesday as more nude pictures purported to be of Hong Kong stars were posted online.

A police spokeswoman said the Commercial Crime Bureau was investigating "two reported cases of publishing indecent articles on the Internet."

In 2006, a Hong Kong tabloid magazine that published photos portraying Chung changing her clothes was classified as class II indecent, meaning it should not have been sold to people under the age of 18.

(Agencies via Shenzhen Daily February 2, 2008)