‘I didn’t look after my child’

Kathleen, Portsmouth, VA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:10:14 GMT

Great story. I never knew that this was such a huge problem.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

els — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:18:54 GMT

Stories like this do help us understand the complexity of cultures where this problem is prevalent. We tend to concentrate only of the political and economic aspect of China, but there is so much more to learn about the social dynamics of this huge nation of people.

The child slavery issue needs to be dealt with around the world. Let's hope that in nations where it is a growing problem, leadership will see it as the serious problem that it is and will put strict laws into place to prevent child slavery and abuse from happening.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Debbi Bakke, Covina, CA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:43:16 GMT

China's one-child policy has resulted in numerous legal and social problems. Female babies are killed because the family hoped for a boy. The statistical difference between the number of available women for men of marrying age is cause for alarm...there aren't enough women to go around anymore. Will these women then be sold to the highest bidder like their male infant counterparts? The trafficking of women is also a huge problem in China. The Chinese government's lack of real concern in stopping the illegal theft and sale of baby boys is disgusting. I've seen news stories on families such as were described in the article and it's heart breaking to know that most of these missing children will never be back with their parents. I don't know how the "baby brokers" who are in reality immoral pirates, can even live with themselves. I'm not even going to begin to address the disturbing $73 fee that may be paid to a mother for her baby. That's the price of an average dinner for two (no wine even!) in America. I have no idea what $73 could mean to an impoverished woman in China but it breaks my heart to know someone would accept it let alone pay it. But the crux of the article wasn't babies being sold by their mothers, it was babies being STOLEN from them. And that the country's lack of enforcement allows these kidnapping scums to continue in their trade goes against everything that truly civilized people hold dear. The sanctity of family is outweighed by the government's ability to control the most biological need that exists in humans...the desire for children. Good to know that the government will crack down on the trafficking of women and children between now and December this year. Hmmmm, what happens come January, 2010? Business as usual, I'd bet.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Lisa, Bremerton WA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:50:56 GMT

China should start to help these families find their children and worry less about the pollitics of the matter. They know who's taking these kids and they need to start to track them down.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Margaret Stutzman Washington, MS — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:37:02 GMT

my heart breaks for these families. Prayers for safe return for all the children.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Toni, Lancaster, CA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:02:17 GMT

It is so sad that families have to go thru a tragedy such as this. My heart goes out to these families and the children that have been taken away from them. More needs to be done worldwide to STOP this!!

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Dean A. Nash, Shenzhen, China — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:21:30 GMT

Xiong, it isn't your fault. Just as it isn't your fault when someone steals your cellphone. The problem isn't the victim, but the thief.

And Shenzhen is ripe with thieves, all condoned by the local government. Why do I say that? Because if you travel to Hua Qiang Bei (SZ's second biggest shopping district) you'll be approached by literally dozens of people offering you stolen laptops and cellphones. In a society as tightly controlled as China, this could easily be stopped.

As for Shenzhen's people, well, most simply don't care about you, or your son. I truly wish that it weren't so, but it is. I say this as an American who has spent the past six years living in Shenzhen. And please don't get me wrong, there are good people in Shenzhen - they are just the minority. Also, the local government gets many things right. Still, until the majority of the people (that is, until the culture changes to where people actually care about each other - even if it is only 'enlightened self-interest'), China will continue to be plagued by these types of atrocities. http://ruzikejiao.com/index.php/2009/04/17/most-shenzhen-people-dont-care/

‘I didn’t look after my child’

T. Bergstrom, HI — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:44:45 GMT

It seems that parents are too busy to take the time to watch their children while they play outside. Then they are shocked when their child goes missing. My daughter understands that if mom or dad cannot go out with her, that she can patiently wait until we can. She does not suffer if she has to wait a few minutes and does not have freedom to roam the neighborhood without supervision. And it is not always thrilling to sit outside when I have a million things to do inside, but I willingly do it because it is MY responsibility to watch over and protect her. I cannot assume that my neighbors and strangers will watch over and protect her. My mom has talked about the days when she and her siblings could roam the farm all day in the summertime and Grandma didn't have to worry for their safety. It is sad. But those days are over. Yes. It can happen to anyone, but it is less likely to happen if you are vigilant and watchful.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Sadden American — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:17:03 GMT

Wait... I though China was the new economic power in the world, and that China thinks it should be the model of Government for the planet's future... this can't be a true story!

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Crossroads, Shanghai — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:24:26 GMT

Adrienne.

this is a stroy that has been gaining more recognition, as it should, however I am curious why you have chosen to focus on the theft of boys vs. girls when kidnappings of women are clearly a much larger problem.

It is an issue I have covered on several posts at Crossroads, and encourage you to research for future posts.
1) http://china-crossroads.com/2008/04/18/chinas-stolen-children/
2) http://china-crossroads.com/2009/03/04/the-plight-of-chinas-xiaojies/

r
www.china-crossroads.com

‘I didn’t look after my child’

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:45:16 GMT

I don't understand how the 1-Child policy has to do with this. If someone is going to break the law and kidnap a child, why don't they just break the law and have another baby. I'm sure hiding a belly for 9 months can't be much harder than hiding a second child for 18 years.

Given the US rate of missing kids from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (missingkids.com), these chinese kids are orders of magnitudes safer from kidnapping than their American counterparts.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Flavia, CA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 06:06:17 GMT

I am deeply touched by this article . I hope that we will come toguether as a community to further advocate on behalf of those parents , so maybe our approach will mobilize the authorities in china to look those children. This is terribly painful. My heart and thoughts go out those those parents and I thank MSNBC for this article.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Herbert Onyenokporo, Port harcourt, Nigeria — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 06:19:14 GMT

Child kidnapping is happening everywhere all over the world, but the main reason for this has not been told, please stop this kidnapping and help the parents of this children have peace by bring out their kidnapped children.

Is too callous to be doing children trafficking in this 21st century.

Please change this attitude.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

victor , peking, china — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:13:48 GMT

chinese govement do too little to solve this problem, we are parents we could understand what the feeling the lost kids parent, really god can help them to find back their kids if the govement could do nothing

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Manrock — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:34:14 GMT

Tragic,
Fot those parents whose kid died in accident (or earthquack) or has been kidnapped and after one year polish give the report in writting that now they are closing the case and no longer will able to retrive the stolen kid, should be allow to get another child.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

rhonda clegg dallastown pa — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:44:10 GMT

How heart breaking -it must be like looking for a needle in a haystack especially with no legal help.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Cora Alexander,Detroit,Michigan — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:45:29 GMT

I hope that God bring Le Le home. I really don't understand why people take other people kids. I pray that the family stay Strong and continue to keep looking.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Anonymous, NH — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:02:54 GMT

Considering how expedient the Chinese government is about executing people, they should make that the punishment for this crime. Steal or buy a child, and get caught, you die.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Dr. James Shaw, Westmont, IL — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:55:32 GMT

My wife and I would appreciate it if you would publish more positive news stories about China. Life in China is not bad at all. The barrage of negative stories from MSNBC and other sources may give readers who have never been to China the wrong impression of what the country is like. Further, the incessant negativity will only foster prejudice over time.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Andrea K., Miami, Fl — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:58:16 GMT

They are then most likely given to Americans to adopt.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Al — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:03:44 GMT

Obama will go over there and TELL them what to do, then bow down and ask forgiveness for America and all the evil we have been responsibile for. Actually, this ain't an american problem...let China take care of it.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

joe — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:24:01 GMT

informative

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Julie Hicks, Chester, VA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:38:33 GMT

The creator of "Baby Come Home" should add information in English. Some of these children could have been taken overseas to countries like America. Americans love to adopt Chinese children, but may do so not realizing that the child has actually been stolen from their parents.

This is a heartbreaking story. I can't imagine losing a child like this.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Rae, Brunswick, ME — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:57:44 GMT

A child cannot be watched every second and it's a shame on humankind that people commit such awful crimes. I will pray for you to find your son. Good luck.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Merrill, Las Vegas NV — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:17:10 GMT

This is totally insane, if simply from the point of logic. If a couple is mainly concerned for carrying on "their blood line", buying a male child does nothing to satisfy their desire. But, then again, I have never understood the Chinese mentality.

If a stolen child has been adopted by an American couple, it would be necessary to have a Chinese official involved, because proper birth records must be produced. Those birth records are kept as manual records in a bound book, so an official must have created a false entry in a book in the correct chronological order of the book. This is very difficult to accomplish in a country, where most records are kept in the manual fashion, as is customary in rural areas of China. But, even if the records were created in an automated system, a government official must be involved.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Dat Pham, San Antonio, Texas — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:20:40 GMT

This can happen anywhere, but it can get worse in China, a place where the population is exploding (thus the human value becomes lessened) plus the country - after so long being under cruel Communist rule - has abandoned many religious beliefs which serve as natural moral foundation for the human being. People there are brainwashed and lived like robot. Look at how the Chinese government (and some Chineses) have destroyed the Tibetan cultural treasure. Look at how they treat Christian or whoever dares to cling to the Bible ... They have endangered environment by running their businesses in a very irresponsibly methodology.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

sid green — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:24:10 GMT

It is sad to see how many of us fall for such propaganda. The problem China has is nothing worse then any country in the world, including us here in the US of A. I only see one reason for this article in American media, propaganda. Make Chinese look bad so people don't pay attention to all the problems we have here at home. Has anyone ever gone to Down Town LA, Chicago, NY, Detroit, and many more. In some parts of the city, you will be lucky to come out alive after dark. Stop trying to make them look bad and take care of the problems at home.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

3rd Generation, Migrant, America — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:33:04 GMT

Being the third generation to a Chinese immigrant; this problem of child kidnapping and child selling hits to close to home. Being female; I know that I am lucky my Great Grand Father made the decision to to come to American. Had he not; I would have been sold being an undesired female.
As for the 1 Child Law; becuase the ration is approximately 10 males to 1 female; (not sure of the new stats) the law for the most has been over turned.
Yes we have a problem here in American with child kidnappings; but the scale to which it happens here; is nothing compared to the scale it happens in China and other Asian countries.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Single Mom, New Orleans, Louisiana — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:45:39 GMT

This is such a shame... poor thing- she feels so guilt, as I am sure most of us would, but I don't think there was anything differently she could have done. My prayers are with her.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Victor Vergez, New York City, New York — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:01:40 GMT

Oh my God! those people that do that to children anywhere around the world should be given to the sharps like snachk.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Mike, Kansas City, MO — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:02:16 GMT

This is very sad. I don't know what I would do if one of my kids got kidnapped like this. All I know is some ugly side of me that I never know before might all of a sudden appear and take over, and I don't want that to happen. This is not just a China problem, it's a world problem and we should all lend a hand.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

SR, CT — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:13:32 GMT

This is something that is happening all across the world. Human trafficking is big business especially when it comes to the transnational element. In Africa, children are sold for a fish. In India, children are forced into brothels, same with Asian countries as the demand for young children to perform sexual acts is high. Exploitation takes many forms, not just against children but women and men as well. Victims are exploited for purposes of labor, sexual exploitation, debt bondage, body parts and human sacrifice. All across both poor and developing nations does this problem exist. And it IS America's problem as many of these victims end up in the United States in positions of forced labor and prostitution. Why? Our citizens have the money to pay for these services. Traffickers know the routes to take to abduct or coerce a victim out of their home country and use the same routes as narcotics traffickers and terrorists. Human trafficking is a multi billion dollar business which in turn funds other crimes against persons. The US population doesn't know enough about this, we need to educate people on prevention, protection and prosecution efforts to stop this horrible crime.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

J China — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:17:04 GMT

I am Chinese .
I am very shock when I see this topic.When I have read the content I feel my sisters'children are in danger ,I want to tell they protect them well.
Our government must pay attention on this problem.
But I thind this is hopeless for the government have so many things to do.
Human rights is useless in China ........

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Bill Smith — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:21:29 GMT

Nothing can be worse than to see your child taken from his family.
But as for the moralizing, remember that the US is the country in which unborn infants are legally murdered by their mothers in the millions.
Their is an underlying attitude of what I want is all that is important, that rides roughshod over the deeper values of a humble respect for life.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

M.R.S. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:23:46 GMT

Wait a minute - they don't keep track of the numbers of missing children? It seems impossible to me that a country capable of monitoring and enforcing the number of offspring produced by any one set of parents - so much so that couples are willing to purchase boys in the first place - does not keep track of the number of missing children. It also seems impossible that the government has no idea where these children end up or any way to figure it out.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Ahn Wi, Chicago, IL — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:34:08 GMT

These children are not being ADOPTED by Americans living in the United States. China and the United States have VERY strict policies about international adoption. Literally dozens of legal transactions need to happen on BOTH sides of the ocean for children to be adopted by American citizens. I can't vouch for other countries, however and child trafficking is clearly a HUGE problem worldwide. As is child abduction even in the good old United States of America.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Mabell Flores, Miami, Florida — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:34:54 GMT

It breaks my heart to see that picture...

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Anonymus, Lexington, KY — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:37:04 GMT

How awful. As the parent of a nearly 3 yo boy, I can't imagine the grief these parents are going through. I pray Le Le is at least adopted by a family that wanted a boy. Then he is being loved whereever he is.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

za, houston, tx — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:38:06 GMT

Its government fault, chinese government. They only know to show off their corrupt money.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Zenner, San Jose, Ca — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:39:51 GMT

Why appeal to the United states for a Chinese problem? Expanding those that should be concerned to include another country, when admittedly these children are not being trafficed in foreign countries does not seem to be an effective strategy.

If there were some proof that these children were being sold as sex slaves overseas, it might be more relevent.

I too have had experience living in China as well as several other Asian countries. The feeling I had is every man for himself. The sense of community is strained and superficial if present at all. My personal dealings with Chinese on a one to one basis has be positive, warm and generally open - on the surface. But as evidenced by the easy in how quicky these "child stealers" disappear once the child is abducted, not to mention how efficeint they are in locating, targeting their victims - seems to indicate that there is a market for information on possible victims as much as there is market for the stolen child.

As noted by several posters, this could not occur nor continue as a "business model" without the complicity of authorities. As cold blooded as it sounds, you must admit that fixing this issue, painfull as it is, is a Chinese problem

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Sonam Zoksang, Kingston, New York — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:43:23 GMT

The Chinese government's only priority is hold on to their power. The story like this is too common in China and the government has least interest in doing anything. Beneath all the beautiful images of Beijing and Shanghai lies a billions of tragedy stories.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Lisa Wang — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:43:34 GMT

I do feel sorry for the families. I also think that the parents should be more responsible for their children. You should not let a 3 year old child play alone when you know there is a problem in the society.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

richard norfolk, virginia — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:50:41 GMT

To take the child of another person is an act beyond comprehension. Buyers and sellers of human beings show how little real progress has been made by mankind. Graft and corruption limit China more than any other aspect of that culture. 5,000 years has only honed the baldes of corruption in China. I hope each child will be returned.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Lauren, stoughton, MA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:51:54 GMT

I was apalled to learn of such a horrible problem in China regarding these children. I am a adoptive parent from the US and I do not believe that any adoptive parent knowingly would adopt a child under those circumstances. A childs life is so precious please take care of your children.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Liz Justis — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:53:04 GMT

What a tragic situation for all those poor parents. It is just another horrible example of what the desire for money will make people do.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Carrie, Savannah, GA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:53:18 GMT

makes me sick to my stomach...

‘I didn’t look after my child’

wung lee — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:54:57 GMT

in all asmuch noise of gender equality, boys still commands family attention and many prefer having both sexes. He will be there for good or bad when girls; all long gone even traded or changed the family name as society required when married! The last home of any respected woman in the society is her husband home, anything less than that she's as good as the street lady of the night.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

A. W., Boise, ID — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:56:41 GMT

Child kidnapping isn't limited soley to China. A child is trafficked WORLDWIDE every TWO MINUTES. It's about time people open up their eyes and realize we've got an issue that needs to be dealt with. It's complex, you have to not only dig at other government's laws, but you have to reconfigure the way the culture as a whole values their children. After spending more than a month working at a shelter for trafficked women and children in Cambodia, I can honestly say that this problem is much more complex than any research shows and doesn't have an easy solution. How can you get involved? Become aware: NotForSaleCampaign.org.

I am not for sale. You are not for sale. Nobody should ever be for sale.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Mai Dong Izbeeg, San Franciso, California — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:01:05 GMT

Remember: The Chinese are our friends. (ha,ha)

‘I didn’t look after my child’

vic — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:04:55 GMT

Al,Bush and the republicans would be tough on China? Its crazy we have an embargo on Cuba, but China no way.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Erika NAvarro, Norwalk, CA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:05:22 GMT

I love the article. This goes to show that there are alot of people suffering because some one took their son. Hunman trafficing should stop. The Presidents of all country's should come to together and figure out a plan. What these people in this story are going through could happen to you and to any one. It sad and for those that are parents should come together and fight for protection that is a part of our human rights.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Glenda Davia, Lawton OK — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:08:15 GMT

I am just disgusted and amazed how the government and police handle and take this situation so lightly. My heart goes out to the families that are suffering the loss of their child I pray that they will be safely reunited, Godbless...

‘I didn’t look after my child’

beancube2008 — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:10:27 GMT

Life becomes so busy. Get a job in big corporation but they may be funded by internation which need cheap labors in China and they can take their money investing elsewhere or unable to pay. Massive population loss and look for new jobs. Putting people back in internation corporation gets only busy life and losing children. Need new thinking to do well with cheap labor and aging population. Printed cashes are just well known internation bubbles for the next crash. People are busy finding themselves, how can they manage to find children?

‘I didn’t look after my child’

April, Crossville, Tennessee — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:18:28 GMT

I'm am so saddened for these children and parents. My heart aches for them to reunite with their true families. May God see their pain and help them to find their children.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

GPropst,Hickory ,NC — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:19:43 GMT

Get Obama on it . He'll name a czar against child theft.Be able to increase his record on czar's out numbering the old USSR. And everone will think everything is fixed . Change you can believe in !

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Angela, St. George, Grenada. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:24:16 GMT

I am A mother of an only child a son and I life without my son will not worth living. I can't say that I feel your pain because no one can really understan fully someones elses pain until you yourself have experience it. But I can say countinue to look for your kid until the day you die and always remember that god is on your side. Continue to pray and and never give up hope our children is our precious gift from god .

‘I didn’t look after my child’

jason America — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:25:55 GMT

What amazes me is the fact we continually borrow money from china being a communist country and with this kind of issue going on as well as others we still continue support of china.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Nikk, Philadelphia, PA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:34:12 GMT

My heart goes out to the families and children of what are such unthinkable acts.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

John Sears, Chicago, IL — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:35:48 GMT

Although the article dicussed selling these children in China to Chinese buyers; I wonder how many of these "missing Children" in China end up in the West as adopted Children. There has been a surge in the number of Amricans who go to China to adopt children. Could there be a connection between the two? Has anyone cared to investigate?

‘I didn’t look after my child’

David, Ann arbor, MI — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:36:28 GMT

Thanks for put forward to us this story. Is it unbelieveable in the 21st century? Hope it is not true, but we know it did happen in America even today too. What is the underlying reason of this kind of crimes?

I think the govnt of China is not very responsible for thire rural citizan, cauz most of them don't have
medical insurance, no social security. When they become old enough, they muct be dependent upon their children, male children precisely, because traditionally their daughters live in the husband's family, and they need to support the old parents of the new family. This is possible one reason for the child buying.

To 3rd Generation, Migrant, America,
The ratio of male/female newborn in china is around 110:100 (not the exact number)now.
Thank you still know your ancestors were from China, but could you please spare a little more time to read books about China (either about her culture or history)from the library (not only from the websites).

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Heather, Milwaukee WI — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:38:01 GMT

Dr. James Shaw, Westmont, IL - you and your wife would appreciate more positive news stories about China?!??! What a ridiculous request. Get over your blindness regarding China. The country has serious issues which need to be brought to the forefront. Until China starts treating their people with dignity and cracking down on wicked crimes such as baby theft the country deserves to be taken over the coals.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Karina, Worland, Wyoming — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:38:16 GMT

I live in a very small town in wyoming where stuff like this does not happen. It's hard to watch the news or read about it especially when there is so much saddness that is affecting our world. I could not imagine what the parents of the missing children must be going through. Especially when the only child they have is taken from them.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have missing children, and pray that with god's help their children will return to them. As a mother of 3 I count my blessings everyday that I have them with me, but will pray for those who are suffering all around the world.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Karolyn, Bothell, WA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:39:45 GMT

I watched a really interesting documentary on HBO called "China's Stolen Children". They interviewed families of missing children as well as a trafficker. To him it was a regular job. It really opened up my eyes. Here is the link to the HBO site about it. http://www.hbo.com/docs/docuseries/chinasstolenchildren/index.html

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Vayne1 — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:42:20 GMT

Several posters have stated that if the Chineese government cant or wont help the parents find their children,then God can help bring them home.....Would that be the same God that allowed them to be taken to begin with?Wake up people,you're all much too old to still be believing in fairy tales and imaginary beings

‘I didn’t look after my child’

AJMS, Philadelphia, PA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:43:05 GMT

There are so many stories where money is once again the root of evil. It's a shame the people who want a child and the orphan's can't get together. There are thousands who want a baby and thousands upon thousands of orphans, something has to be figured out. If it is that they can't afford to adopt legally then maybe the "rates" have to be lowered or taken away all together. I'm not sure how the whole system works and perhaps if I did I wouldn't have a comment but for me it seems that every time I hear a story about orphans, China has so many looking for a home. Great article. I had no idea this was going on at such a high level. I wonder if the people receiving these smuggled children even know where they are coming from?!?

‘I didn’t look after my child’

DeeDee, Indiana — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:43:25 GMT

I have yet to hear of any American family able to adopt a healthy Chinese boy. Only about 3 percent of children available to be adopted by Americans are boys, and even then the boys were abandoned because of some defect or health issue. I'm confident that an adoption agency would be highly skeptical if a healthy Chinese boy were available for adoption.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

no name Chinese — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:44:54 GMT

Being from central China, I know this problem in China is truly a crisis out of control. On the street where my parents live, there have been at least three such kidnappings. Mothers are devastated. Nobody trusts anybody anymore. Sad indeed.

The Chinese mentality is that if you don't produce a male heir, your lose your family name and you are considered a loser, even if you have a large fortune. It is not really about biological blood line.

Chinese government's one-child policy does have a lot to do with this crisis. Chinese communities elsewhere (Taiwan, Hong Kong) have not seen such a crisis. China came up with the policy when it found its population growth was out of control around 1980. Yet again, the population problem can be traced back to the start of the communist rule after 1949, when the government started to confine peasants to their communes. They can only work in commune teams and every family gets paid based largely based on how many person it contributes to the team. A strong male labor gets 1 points, while a female gets ~0.8. Having more children became ONLY way for peasant families to increase their income back then.

A political/governmental decision yields un-intended/well-intended results that affects lives even after many decades and many generations. I pray for my people and my country every day. In my lifetime, hopefully, we will see such communists legacies go away, and we'll have a new China.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

RMR — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:46:32 GMT

It really surprises me how China prioritizes the welfare of their own people...So many children taken in so many years and it still exists today.

Clearly, they show no concern to put an end to it or hunt these perpretrators....if I didn't know any better, they probably have a connection to it all.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

David, Ann Arbor, MI — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:47:33 GMT

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Ken H., Grayling, Mi. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:52:48 GMT

Let's see. Your child is kidnapped, you go to your leader for help, and you get arrested, and, you get no help to find your child. Sounds like your leaders might be making a few off this???

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Jon Pettit, Olympia Washington — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:54:59 GMT

Missing children should always be a concern, everywhere in the world. In the US 2.1 million go missing each year. 14% by strangers. The percentage in the US is greater than in China. Perhaps we need to pay more attention here, to fix our problems first.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Doreen Blacksmith, Waswanipi, Qc/Canada — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:55:08 GMT

God! Please protect these children, and help them get back to their families...my prayers to goes to all them children and their families.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Felicia, West Chester, PA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:55:13 GMT

Human trafficing is a HUGE problem world wide. Don't kid yourself, it goes on here in the US too. Good lord, just look at the sex trade in Thailand, children as young as two years old! You want to sit on your collective butts and not help others in need then don't act so surprised and outraged when your child is the next to go and you get blamed for being a bad parent. Nothing will change if we don't all come together and work to change it. The Chinese government needs to start taking care of its people. Its going to be hard to procreate even one child with just men in your country because you've killed off or adopted out all the baby girls. If they can't see their way clear to do that than maybe its time for the Chinese people to overthrow them and sell them into slavery. Nothing worse than a dirty crooked government. That poor mom didn't do anything wrong, the theives and the government who aids and abiets them are the true criminals here, they should be sentenced to death as should all child snatchers.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

J. William Davenport — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:56:49 GMT

This is not only problem this country has. They are polluting their envronment faster than a speeding bullet. They are alienating the farmers in their country side. Their wealth is soley based on an industries providing cheap labor costs and no benifits in order to sell goods and services to the West (U.S.). When the low costs of production end, and their envoronment is destroyed they will be tossed aside like a dirty dish rag!!! This is the country that is about to over take the U.S.? I think not.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Lobsang — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:02:37 GMT

Very sad state of China.
Although it is not "fair" to blame on one source but the main source of all the sufferings in China is due to it's brutal Chinese Communist Gov't.
There is not opposite party to oppose it. Because it rules with iron fist and destroys anyone that opposes the gov't.
If a Gov't is truly loving or benevolent to its citizen then it would allow people to criticize it.

Tibetans are killed every year as they protest.
Same goes to Chinese & Uyghur people as well.

Nothing is allowed unless state permits it.

SUCH A HORRIBLE COUNTRY WHEN ITS PEOPLE CAN'T EVEN SPEAK UP.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Mike, Chicago IL — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:03:00 GMT

I saw some persons here seized this chance again to twist facts and attack china. I'll not name them, but actually these few persons are disgusting, instead of others whom they pointed to. The $73 mentioned in the article is the price the first pirate sells to middle-men, and final price sold to a family is several thousand dollars. How come the disgusting persons here to seize $73 to attack? No matter $73 or $7300, the crime is a crime. $73 makes it more crime? Chinese police are trying very hard to recover the lost children, no questions about it. In some cases, police have to organize a big force risking their lives to storm the rural villages to get a lost child back based on some leads because some (not all) villagers looked after each other protecting their neighbors for illegally purchased children (thousand dollars are a very big price to them). 1500 children are recovered a year, which is done by Chinese police. The fact that some lost children are still not found becomes the excuse that the disgusting persons here to attack. We see missing children from our mail box on daily basis; does this mean our US authority does not care about it?! Does this mean our US police do not try to recover them?!

The birth-control in china is very controversy, just like the abortion issue here in US. Pro-life or pro-choice? Both sides have some points, and it’ll continue to argue for ever. Back to china’s birth-control, to me it’s inhuman, but I am not sided on this side, because now china has 1.5 billion people, which is already a big burden to the limited resources on the earth. Without the birth-control, china’s population could be 3 billion now! Even UN clearly praised china for its birth-control efforts for contained population and improved living standard. Unfortunately, this earth planet is very limited, and the human being is growing and expending all over the world, squeezing out spaces for all other species. This planet resources just cannot support so big expending crowd forever. Our human being should be smart enough to figure it out. The birth-control is necessary especially in developing countries. Unless some persons wanted to see exploding chinese population went hungry like some places in Africa. No one in the world including US could feed them! Repeat, the world resource is very limited, which cannot support exploding crowd. Let the two sides continue to argue for ever. Now we are enjoying the contained chinese population that does not break this world.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Barbara, Atlanta, GA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:05:40 GMT

This is heart wrenchingly sad. However, it is imperative that parents be more diligent in watching their children. Who would let a 3 year old out to play without adult supervision? Things can happen in a split second, but they are more unlikely to occur when the child is under the eye of a parent/caregiver.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Matt Boynton — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:10:27 GMT

This is all very sad but let us be solution oriented. Even though China is still a developing country, the price of getting DNA info on these babies is coming down. Many parents, if they knew someday it would reunite their child would gladly take part. The govt. is fairly rich and could use this for stimilus for biotech. One other way may be fingerprinting. Then, of course, schools and doctors would have to be on the lookout for these people perhaps many years later. Finally, draconian punishments such as minimum of 10 years in jail for any child abductors and jail time for anyone who was aware of it but did not report it. This sort of approach should help a lot eventually.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

david, Ohio city, ohio — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:12:54 GMT

Peng this is so bad that i have thought about coming to china to try to make a dent in the child and mother trafficking

‘I didn’t look after my child’

tommy — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:15:46 GMT

This is the problem in America and other nations.Law enforcements all over the world,this including world governments need to stop being so passive. Lawness is spreading,and nobody seems to care. This world needs to bring back moral values,righteous,and compassion.'CAUSE there's to much corruption,greed,deception,selfishness,some people that don't want to get along with one another{racism,indifferences,religion philosophies,lawness}.IF we go back to love,kindness,respect for one another,and compassion,the world will be a better place. IF NOT,there will be one day accountability for all the madness,confusion,lawness that mankind refuse to deal with that's right.Humantrafficking,slavery,kidnapping,and murder is wrong,period.THE REASON WHY? God created every men,women,and children with a purpose and destiny in the world,and when any person or many person's chooses to cut off or rob a person's life you're cutting off purpose and destiny of that person's life.Many say they don't need Christ in there life,they're lying. LOOK AT THE WORLD IN HOW CONFUSE IT IS? I'M FOR PEACE,AND MORAL VALUES,AND DEMOCRACY.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Jason, Dubois, PA — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:20:44 GMT

I am ashamed by the inaction of the Chinese Government. I have for the last 3 years, been teaching that China is going to be the next great nation on Earth--I was wrong, for if they cannot or are unwilling to protect their most fragile resources (their children), then they are a longggggggg way away from becoming the next great nation on Earth. India is also going to be a great nation, but I feel now that maybe they are a step ahead of the Chinese, for they at least protect their young with laws, and not only that, the Family Unit in India is much stronger than in China. So, China, continue with your inaction and all your progress will amount to nil, for you can lose progress faster than you gained it.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Cameron — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:23:25 GMT

I'm going to visit family in China this summer. My wife and I will be taking our one-year old son with us. When we're in public I'll be holding him as tightly as possible. All I can think, though, is if someone tried to grab my son, I would end him. period.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Manish Mathias — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:28:17 GMT

Please Lord bring Le Le back home to his parents and let those who commit such crimes be shown your wrath.
I have to say that with faith in Jesus all things are possible.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Nwokonkwo Harold, Enugu, Nigeria — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:33:46 GMT

I do not blame anybody who wnat to retain the the blood-line and family lineage; however doing so with a stolen child or purchased child is a total contradiction and self decepton. It is a grave sin to steal another man's son and chinesse government and honest people should be able to fight this. In my own society, everyone knows that a couple can only have a child through a pregnant mother; and pregnancy is not usually covered. Chinesse should begin to register all acceptable pregnancies and the resulting children. Any parent having a different child should now be able to explain. Governement cannot fight this alone without the co-operation of the populace. I advice Chinesse who are desparate to have additional male children to consider migrating to other countries to fulfil their dream legitimately. The birth control policy of Chinesse govt is understandable in the face population explosion; but other options such as promoting late marriage should be considered.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Angus, Chicago, IL — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:49:01 GMT

As a new Chinese Mom lives in US, I feel very sad for those parents who lost their children. That will be the biggest tragedy for me. But as parents, we do have the responsibility to take care the kids ourselves as well, not simply blame on the society or the government.

Most Americans probably don't really understand what China is like. 30 years ago, when I was a 6-7 year old little student, I walked to school and walked back home (about 25-30 min) by myself or with my little classmates everyday. It was perfectly safe back then, and parents don’t usually pick up their school kids. Students either walk home or take buses themselves (no school buses). A safe society like that lasted probably until recent 10-15 years (it varies depending on different cities). When time goes by, China opened to the world and the economy is developing rapidly, people's quality of lives improved dramatically, unfortunately some bad things show up more as well, like crime rate. Parents need to adjust their way and view of how to safely take care of kids. You really can't just let your little kids play on the street without parents/adults watching any more like years ago. Some Chinese parents need to adjust there view about child safety in this new society environment, and be more alert like American parents. China, as a society is really more and more like American.

Dear Americans, please don't just blame Chinese government or those poor parents, they just need to realize the changes/transformations and make the right adjustment. China is a very big country and it has 1.4 billion populations; it’s extremely hard to find a lost kid even with authority’s help. And Chinese laws ARE very harsh towards children theft criminal, the hardest one could be death sentence.

I hope what I wrote can be little helpful for some readers to understand this article unbiased.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Some Uncommon Sense, Ontario, Canada — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:54:01 GMT

Let me understand this... we should accept a certificate of birth provided by a country that is rife with corrupt and complicite government officals and expect a general population has very few redeeming moral values to guide them to be sympathetic to the plight of their fellow citizens... that Sounds like a recipe for success!!!

‘I didn’t look after my child’

SB — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:57:43 GMT

I recently lived in southwest China for a number of years, and found that there were corrupt people, and there were great friends to find as well.

One story that is related to this article has to do with a walk I took with two children (from Taiwan in southwest China) from their home to their father's place of business. The walk took about 20 minutes. The moment we reached the street level, I notice we were being followed. I am taller than most people in the area (5'8") and could see two or three bodies walking at our pace in our direction, keeping an eye on the children and me, in the milling crowd. We reached a corner, and there were more waiting to "catch" us, as the two behind us dropped off, three more up ahead picked up. By the time we reached the father's business, I pointed them out to the daughter. She was tall as well and saw four of the men, and recognized them as security officers out of uniform. They (the children) were being watched by local security because of me (a white lady with asian children!)! I found it reassuring for the children, and chilling for me.

Another story relates to one of my former students - a very beautiful young lady who, upon graduation from university, went to a job fair seeking employment. During an interview, she called me on her cell phone to say that the boss asked her to "stand up and turn around". He asked her to "show herself" to him. She had never encountered this behaviour before, and it had not been covered in my courses (English writing). I told her to stay on the line, and leave the job fair. I also told her to find a security officer and request a secure escort to the bus stop, which was granted. While still speaking with her on the phone, she rode the bus from the job fair back to my location. We spent the rest of the day together, helping her recover from this horrible experience.

This is how I learned about human trafficking.

I then began talking about personal security issues in my classes, sharing information of self-defense, self-awareness, and general public security issues. Surprisingly, the government does offer much information on these topics, but few people access government resources, and those that do often don't share the message with others. So the idea of "pass it on" was not common in the area. Also, enforcement is not the same as emplacement, in that there are laws in place to protect the rights of individuals who encounter these horrible situations, with the expectation that the situations will NEVER take place. There is little enough said describing what might, should, or could happen, IF it should take place.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Xiao Ping, China — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:19:19 GMT

This is very tragic for the parents, but people shouldn't think this it the norm in China. When there are a lot of people, more crime happens, and it is more difficult to find the children. However, I have never heard of people just showing up with an extra kid one day and nobody noticing this or reporting it. And as for the countryside, most families there just have more than one kid if they want a boy. It is surely cheaper and less risky than stealing one. I feel horrible for the parents, and I hope they get reunited with their children soon. However, I don't know if this article is correct. People who break the law and have more than one child must pay heavy fines. I don't see how having a child you bought/stole and registering that child would help you avoid that problem. Without registration with the state, you can't attend school and can't get a job. This might happen in the countryside, but as I said before, if they can get away with not registering a stolen child, they can probably just have one of their own. The Chinese government should definitely help these families...but news articles need to be held accountable and spread accurate information without overly prejudicing its readers.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Sharon Course, St. Clair Shores, MI — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:27:33 GMT

Last week I heard that there are approximatley
32,000,000 (million folks) males without female counterparters. The Chinese government is hiring American teachers to teach English in China. I know a fellow going next year and he is not allowed to talk about any religous or political issues.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

RMR — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:36:11 GMT

It is really sad to know that under the beauty of that country there exists an ugliness that has been well preserved.

‘I didn’t look after my child’

Nobody, Seattle Wash. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:41:29 GMT

Is this a social problem? Yes. But is it only happen in China? No. What do we want to get out from this article? To show that we AMERICA are better government policy? Better culture than any other country in the world? Or we want to learn that every country have their strenghten and weakness in their policy and culture? So that we can better educated oursleves and our kids. There is no perfect place or country in this world. We just need to learn and deal with it without too much prejutice to others. Then this world might turn to a better place to live. Seattle is a very nice city compare to other big city in the State. But we are very watchful for our kids when they play outside at our front yard. 99% of the time, I feel safe where I live, but there is still 1% chance things can happen. It is parents free choice that they want to take the 1% chance things will happen by carefree or make extra afford to prevent the chance happen? Whatever we chose, we need to prepare for the result too. Don't just blame others when it happen. Of course we should seek help but leave the blaming part to ourselve.