One Of My Rare Kudos To The People's Republic Of China

In a very compelling, tragic, and yet triumphant news development from China, the police there brought a six-month long criminal investigation to a dramatic conclusion this week by arresting over 600 people suspected of being involved in nationwide human trafficking activities. In the process of nabbing the suspects, the police also rescued nearly 200 children, who were placed in protective care. Locating the parents of many of these children could be a long process; in the meantime the children will reside in orphanages under the care of female police officers.


The Chines criminal investigation was a complex operation – approximately five thousand police officers and investigators were utilized in a very closely coordinated effort. Suspects, who were spread across that nation, were arrested in numerous raids conducted simultaneously throughout China.

The investigation was sparked by a seemingly routine car accident; however, responding officers noticed something amiss. Inquiry (pardon my ignorance of Chinese police interrogation procedure) turned up information of not one, but two separate, national child-trafficking organizations. The ensuing police investigation not only brought about the collapse of both criminal organizations, but ultimately, the arrest of both top bosses, one of whom was a female.

The Chinese Ministry of Public Security emphasized the government’s stance against human trafficking, citing a zero-tolerance policy. All of those suspects convicted of human trafficking will not only face jail time, but financial penalties as well. The government believes that the loss of liberty, as well as of all possessions and wealth associated with profit from criminal activities, will act as a deterrent to those contemplating similar activities.

According to the Ministry of Public Security, Chinese police have rescued more than 18,000 children and at least 35,000 women since the government’s crackdown on human trafficking commenced in 2009. While many of the victims are destined for the national and international sex trade, a significant number were targeted for slave labor in China as well. Around the world, there may be as many as 30 million current victims of human trafficking. I certainly do not agree with many of China’s domestic and foreign policies, but that government’s commitment to doing its part in preventing human trafficking is commendable.