Abducted and Missing Kids in China

- In China, where thousands of children are lost or abducted each year, a new government project could help identify and prevent child abduction and trafficking. 

In late May, China expects to have 200 centers in addition to DNA ready to process and store genetic material to help stop child trafficking, reported the BBC. Some 43 schools have been established. 

According to The Associated Press, quoting the website of a government ministry, the DNA database stored DNA samples from parents whose children have been abducted. The centers will also show children allegedly abducted, as well as “street children with histories unclear.” 

According to the BBC, the rigid birth control policy in China, which only allows one child per family, has caused the traffic problem in the nation. Given the cultural preference, boys are at greater risk of being abducted girls. 

The policy, however, has been even more dangerous for babies as young girls, who have been killed, aborted or abandoned in growing numbers since the entry into effect a quarter century ago, Reuters reported. Consequently, 119 boys born for every 100 girls. Reuters noted that “this imbalance has created a criminal complaint for children abducted or bought, but also for girls destined to be rich to attract brides and dowries.” 

In January 2008, nine victims were kidnapped together with her parents when a child trafficking ring was discovered in central China. 

According to Reuters, citing Xinhua news agency, the network was a family operation headed by a man named Ye Zenghi. Apparently, the nephew of Ye used 12 years of toys and food to entice children between 2 to 8 years to follow, then take them on a motorcycle. 

But not all children involved in this network is kidnapped. According Human Trafficking.org, parents often need to be persuaded to surrender their children to traffickers who promise them that their children send them money.