Group marks 60 years of tactful prying into the bedrooms of HK

Even in a city with a multiplicity of billionaires, the urging of the leaflet seemed a little hopeful: 'Donate hundreds of millions at a time.' However, it wasn't dollars it was soliciting, but sperm - and just one small donation contains hundreds of millions.

The leaflet was produced by the Family Planning Association in support of its semen bank, but it failed to do its job, with the bank closing two years ago after a decline in the number of donors.

Consigned to history, it is now reappearing among a plethora of items in an exhibition to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the association.

The association was established in 1950 to promote family planning and contraception and to provide advice and treatment to Hongkongers troubled by problems or illnesses related to sex or reproduction.

Humour has always been an important element in its campaigns, given the need to get messages across to the public about tricky subjects without being pornographic, according to executive director Susan Fan Yun-sun.

For example, a plastic bag for containing wet umbrellas on rainy days was introduced a few year ago printed with the words 'Keep it covered, use a condom' to promote safe sex.

Along with the bag, old tools for contraception will be on display at the exhibition, including applicators for implanting intra-uterine devices, and equipment for detecting blockages in oviducts.