BEIJING, Aug 4, 2009 (AFP) - Prostitutes are considered more trustworthy in China than government officials and scientists, a recent survey of more than 3,000 respondents showed.

The online survey of 3,376 Chinese showed that 7.9 percent of respondents considered sex workers trustworthy, putting them in third place after farmers and religious workers, the Insight China magazine said on its website.

"A list like this is at the same time surprising and embarrassing," the China Daily said Tuesday in an editorial, commenting on the result of the survey, which was carried out in June and July.

"The sex workers' unexpected prominence on this list of honour... is indeed unusual."

The newspaper said the list showed scientists and teachers ranked "way below, and that government functionaries, too, scored hardly better."

Soldiers and students were ranked after sex workers on the list of trustworthy professions, the Insight China magazine said.

"Given the constant feed of scandals involving the country's elite, this is not bad at all," the China Daily editorial commented.

"At least (the scientists and officials) have not slid into the least credible category which consists of real estate developers, secretaries, agents, entertainers and directors."