In China, 190 children are snatched every day – more than 
twice the number taken in England and 
Wales in a year. The Chinese government does not acknowledge the extent of the problem, or the cause. The Single Child Policy has made it essential to have a son, leading to the abortion of more than 40 million girls and setting the price on a boy’s head at more than six months’ wages.
This article by Clare Dwyer Hogg in today’s Observer, is compulsive and essential reading. It highlights the desperate plight of one family whose young son was abducted. His picture has even been added on a poker set – a poker set that poignantly features missing children on every card.
Chin Lie was snatched 18 months ago when he was five years old. He was playing at his grandmother’s vegetable stall in Sichuan, when Zhang, a trusted neighbour, passed by. Offering to bring Chen Jie back to his mother – and persuading the reluctant boy with the promise of sweets – Zhang left, taking the child with him. This was the last time Chen Jie was seen by his family.
Later, when parents and grandmother realised that neither had the little boy, they ran to Zhang’s door, desperately hoping he was there. Calmly, Zhang claimed that after giving him money for sweets, he’d left Chen Jie at the apartment block. Their suspicion of his involvement in their son’s disappearance could not be translated into evidence – even though when the grandmother confronted him later, she said he yelled, ‘I sold the kid, OK?’ After police questioning, however, Zhang was free to go about his normal business.
His mother Li admits she has contemplated suicide, the grief is so great. Li and Lung Chen are determined to do anything to get their son back, but their options are severely limited. The media is too close to the government to be used as a tool, and even joining a parents’ support group must be done in secret.
The family saved up 600RMB – that’s £40 – to put Chen Jie’s picture on a poker set that features missing children on every card; in their desperation they’re gambling on gamblers.
Putting up ‘missing’ posters of Chen Jie, his eyes staring out brightly even from a photocopy, was risky because it’s forbidden (the authorities aren’t keen to have the reminder of missing children on show), but they did it. Hiring a private detective cost money, but they did that, because the detective has a reputation for successful rescue missions. Speaking to Westerners about their plight was dangerous, but they’ve done that, too.
Chen Jie’s story, and the plight of his forlorn and helpless parents under China’s One Child Policy, is to be featured in a Channel 4 documentary on Monday, 8 October called China’s Stolen Children. It has been made by the same award winning team of The Dying Rooms, which in 1995 uncovered the neglect of abandoned children in Chinese state-run orphanages.
In memory of those who are still missing.
P.S. Although my blog is banned in China, I’m sure the news will filter through to Chen Jie’s family that we care for their plight in the UK.
That is awful. I didn’t know the children were snatched and sold there. “Gambling on gamblers” is not such a bad idea – they have a weakness, but they are not heartless or totally unethical.
So many children stolen. Despite your blog being band, these things filter through.
I think the one child policy is the lesser of two evils, massive starvation and pestilence being the alternative.
I can’t believe that the one child policy stil exists! After watching tonights show on channel 4 i was deeply disturbed to know that this policy has affected so many people. I did not know that Child trafficing was this bad
in China and cannot believe it to be possible in these modern times! It makes me extremely angry that the government turn a blind eye to thier problems which they are partly to blame. I was hoping that Chen Jei would be found at the end of the program as i feel so attached to the boy in such a short space of time, and being a parent myself, i cannot imagine the pain his parents must be feeling. I hope this programe raises enough publisity to fine Chen Jei and many of the other children who have been kidnapped. I hope people who have bought these children feel deeply ashamed for doing so and now see the overall effect it has on families who have raised these children. How they can live with themselves i don’t know. I also hope this programme will make Chinese government own up to their mistakes!
Do you know what O.C.P means!? It means 17 million babies not born. Do you know what this means!? it means every body in country better! Less people…less poor people! use brain blind westerner! You only think traffiking happen in ‘ such modern time in china’ open your eyes!? Stupid westener it happen all over world! especially in uk and USA! And people say we chinks should open our slitty asian eyes!? Rethink dumb white people!
Further to your piece on young Chen Jie, the boy stolen from his parents in China I have set up an e-petition on the Downing Street website attempting to raise the profile of this issue with the government. The link to read the text and sign up to the petition is here : http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Chinachildren/
The more people sign up, the more notice will be taken of this terrible situation. Many thanks.
I just finished watching the documentary on HBO. This is absolutely terrible and heart breaking. The pain that this family is experiencing should not be felt by anyone. I cannot believe that there are people in China that have no concern for human life and just want money. They want money so bad they are willing to ruin families and put children where they will get beat and made slaves. I wish there was something I could do to help find Chen Jie…
If the family reads this… keep your faith, I hope he comes home soon!
You so stupid girl! This not happen only in China but in countries very very rich too, like USA and UK. How can you say ‘I cannot believe that there are people in China that have no concern for human life’
you make it sound as if we only ones! open your eyes stupid westerner!
That’s not at all what she was saying. She was saying that she never dreamt anyone in China could be so heartless!! Of course, it happens EVERYWHERE! But the Chinese laws of one child needs to be amended. This whole situation is insane!! Her pain is very real and I can’t believe you would want to add to her pain by berating her. Shame on you!