ECNS, Shanghai, February 2 (by Wenjia Deng, Xiajie Yang and Jing Chen) - According to information received today from the Shanghai immigration department, on February 1st a Chinese national surnamed Xiao escaped from her captors and flew back to Pudong International Airport from South Africa. The woman named Xiao Li (a pseudonym), originally an ordinary employee from Xiamen, Fujian province, met a Chinese woman named Mary in a bar in her hometown one day in 2009 and they became close friends.
In early 2010, harboring dreams of making money, Xiao Li followed Mary and two other unfamiliar women on a journey to Mozambique in Africa. However, instead of their dream of getting rich, they were met by a group of menacing "thugs". Xiao Li and the other women were forcibly dragged into a car and had their freedom severely restricted. They eventually arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, where they were imprisoned in a small dark room.
Xiao Li soon discovered that the so-called "work" was actually prostitution. Upon refusing and demanding to leave, she was immediately beaten and even slashed with a knife.
Unable to endure the prolonged abuse and imprisonment, Xiao Li devised an escape plan. Seizing an opportunity during an outing for "work", she managed to escape from the sight of her "guards". With the help of a local Chinese assistance center and the support of the Chinese embassy, Xiao Li was able to return home safely.
It is reported that in 2010 and 2011, there were cases of Chinese women being trapped in Africa and forced into prostitution. The Chinese public security authorities took this matter very seriously and formed a special anti-trafficking team abroad, successfully rescuing over 20 women.
Upon learning of Xiao Li's misfortune, the Shanghai airport immigration police assisted her through customs and finally helped her board a flight back to her hometown.
The Shanghai airport immigration police remind travelers entering and leaving the country to verify the legitimate qualifications of intermediary companies and foreign labor companies when working abroad, to be cautious in making friends, not to easily believe the promises of strangers, and to enhance their awareness of prevention and vigilance.