When Yang Niuhua, a 34-year-old woman who was abducted when she was 5, recently brought her trafficker to justice, her story reignited public concern over child trafficking, a crime that has torn countless families apart.

As China advances toward a society in which "no child is lost to trafficking," new technologies like DNA identification, artificial intelligence (AI), and facial recognition have become essential tools, backed by the determined efforts of police and government support.

In recent years, these technological breakthroughs, combined with a robust national commitment, have made anti-trafficking efforts faster and more precise, bringing fresh hope to families searching for loved ones. Each successful reunion underscores the power of innovation and dedication, inspiring confidence in the vision of a society without child trafficking.
DNA hunt

Deng Yajun's involvement in using DNA technology for family reunification began with a failed search.

Deng, one of China's first DNA paternity test experts and founder of Beijing Zhongzheng DNA Evidence Institute, felt it was very necessary to start a DNA data bank in 2007 after she conducted DNA tests for 25 pairs of potential families and children who met each other at a family search event in Yixing, East China's Jiangsu Province.

"The 25 pairs of potential families were already about to claim their kin at the event as they thought they had matched some basic information with each other. We asked them to hold on and wait for us to conduct DNA tests for final identification. Unfortunately, it turned out that none of the pair was related," Deng told the Global Times.

DNA testing is currently the most advanced and accurate technology to determine parentage. Thus, this technology plays a decisive role in helping parents and their abducted children to find each other.

In cooperation with baobeihuijia.com, a major non-profit organization in China that searches for people who have lost contact with their families, Deng's DNA database aimed at helping people find their long-lost families has collected more than 2,000 samples, most of which come from those who lost contact with their families in the 1960s.

About two years after the establishment of Deng's database, China's Ministry of Public Security built a national DNA database to fight child trafficking in early 2009. At the end of that year, the database reported its first successful case when it helped an abducted girl, named Xi Xi, in North China's Hebei Province, to reunite with her family through blind-paired comparison testing.

According to Deng, the national database, thus far, contains samples from hundreds of thousands of parents whose children are lost or have been abducted. Once a lost child is found, the child's DNA sample is collected by police and added to the database to conduct blind comparison with the hundreds of thousands of samples available. If the child's parents' samples are in the database, they will be matched; otherwise, the child's sample will be stored in the database until new parent samples are added.

"In some cases, the DNA can confirm the parentage relationship between the child and a pair of parents in the database. But in some other cases, if it fails to find any match with the child in the national database, it requires further police survey and investigation to find other potential relatives of the child, and conduct DNA testing to identify parentage for them," she explained.

The workload is huge. But in recent years, China has continued to update its technologies and standards to help enhance the accuracy.

"In my 20 years of working experience in this industry, the first major development was the emergence of domestically produced reagent kits, which have significantly reduced testing costs. Secondly, the number of genetic loci that can be tested has increased. In the past, there were only two kits available on the market, both of which were imported. However, the two kits were only able to test 16 genes, which made it difficult to distinguish relationships among more than 1.4 billion people in China. Now, we have reached a point where the quality of our domestic reagent kits is comparable to imported products, and can test up to 73 genetic loci. Additionally, many kits for sex chromosomes have also been developed, such as those for testing the X and Y chromosomes. These advancements are particularly helpful for us in dealing with complex and challenging cases," Deng noted.

As many more advanced technologies, such as AI, are being applied to anti-abduction efforts, Deng expects that these new technologies will help promote the efficiency and accuracy of DNA testing. For example, AI-generated portraits can help police screen potential lost families and AI-powered apps can help enhance data comparison efficiency.
Happy reunion

Has he had enough to eat? How is he doing? Is he still alive? Where is he?

For 14 years, these questions lingered in Sun Haiyang's mind.

In 2007, his three-year-old son, Sun Zhuo, was abducted from outside their shop in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, devastating the family.

From then on, Sun Haiyang's life revolved around one mission - finding Sun Zhuo.

This journey captured the hearts of people across the country and even became part of a film.

Sun Haiyang's torture ended on December 6, 2021. That day, he and his wife held their son reunited with them in their arms, witnessed by the police.

Three years have now passed. Sun Haiyang spoke to the Global Times, detailing how technology has been used in the search for missing family members.

"Sun Zhuo was found through facial recognition technology," he explained, adding that this technology uses childhood photos to predict adult likeness, which is then matched with data in the police system.

When Sun Zhuo, who grew up with a different identity in East China's Shandong Province, applied for his first ID card, his information entered the national system. After extensive screening, the police identified him as Sun Haiyang's son.

"Sun Zhuo's hukou (household registration) was registered in Bei'an, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, about 3,800 kilometers from Shenzhen. Without high-tech tools, it would be nearly impossible to pinpoint the exact location in cross-provincial cases like this," Sun said.

Even after ending his own painful mission, Sun Haiyang has remained committed to helping others still looking for their loved ones.

According to Sun Haiyang, as technology has advanced, the requirements have lowered, from needing clear photos of children aged 3 to 5, to now allowing photos from infancy or of relatives to be used for approximate matching.

For cases where photos of the abducted child are unavailable, authorities can compare features from parents or close relatives.

'No more trafficking'

Technology has also significantly enhanced the efficiency of law enforcement agencies.

In recent years, Chinese public security authorities have implemented a series of innovative technological measures to combat child trafficking, which have notably improved the effectiveness and success rates of these efforts.

In addition to DNA matching, the continuous advancement of biometric technology - which identifies and verifies individuals by collecting and analyzing their biological characteristics (such as facial features) - enables the police to monitor and identify suspects in public spaces and transportation hubs, facilitating the rapid location of missing persons.

The system "Tuanyuan," or reunion in Chinese, is another powerful tool employed by Chinese police to expand the search for clues in the internet era. "Tuanyuan" directs alerts about missing children reported within one to three hours, to police and the public within 100 to 300 kilometers, through major social media platforms. For reports of missing children that exceed three hours, alerts are sent to police and the public within a 500-kilometer radius.

Since its official launch in May 2016, the "Tuanyuan" system, with the support of cutting-edge mapping technology and assistance from dozens of Chinese social media giants, has continuously reported good news, successfully recovering missing children.

According to data released by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security in 2022, the system has achieved a remarkable recovery rate of 98 percent for missing children. The average time taken to locate missing children has been reduced from 132 hours to just 78 hours, nearly halving the previous duration.

Thanks to the "Tuanyuan" system, the "reunion action," a special initiative by the Chinese police force to locate abducted and missing children - had successfully recovered over 11,198 missing children as of May 2022. In 2021, the number of child trafficking cases nationwide saw a significant decline of 82.6 percent compared to 2013. Undoubtedly, behind these encouraging statistics lies the relentless efforts of numerous Chinese police officers, as well as robust technological support.

After hearing the death sentence handed to her trafficker after 26 years of efforts to find her families, Yang Niuhua stepped out of the court house and said to the media, "I never feel like I'm fighting alone; today's verdict is the result of everyone's collective efforts. Individual bravery is called solitary courage, social bravery is called collective heroism, and national bravery is what constitutes the rule of law in China."

A Russian Su-57 stealth fighter jet landed in China on Sunday, marking its inaugural visit to China, with military observers anticipating that the Russian warplane will join its Chinese counterparts like the J-20 in delivering impressive aerial displays at the upcoming Airshow China event.

At about 2:20 pm, a Su-57 landed in Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi Province, signifying its first-ever visit to China, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday, as a part of the coverage for Airshow China 2024, to be held from November 12 to 17 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province.

If the Su-57 indeed later arrives in Zhuhai for the airshow, it would mean that several types of stealth fighter jets will be showcased at the event, Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Fu noted that China's J-20 fighter jet has delivered multiple flight performances in previous editions of Airshow China. He also hopes to see the long-expected J-35, China's new-type stealth fighter jet, to perform at the event.

The Su-57 is equipped with thrust vectoring control technologies, enabling it to perform high-maneuverability moves that other aircraft cannot, making the Russian aircraft's performance potentially thrilling to watch, Fu said.

In addition to the Su-57, the Russian Knights aerobatic demonstration team is set to participate in Airshow China 2024 with six Su-35S and one Su-30SM fighter jet, marking their return to the Chinese airshow after an eight-year absence, CCTV reported.

With the Su-57, the Su-35 and the Su-30, Russia is sending almost all of its best fighter aircraft to the Airshow China, Fu said.

Fu expects China and Russia to seize this opportunity for exchanges and mutual learning regarding each other's aircraft, as the two countries make strides in defense cooperation.

As an international airshow, the Chinese exhibition will also provide Russia the chance to market the Su-57 globally, Fu said.

Various Chinese aircraft, such as the J-10C and the J-16 fighter jets, the J-16D electronic warfare aircraft, the H-6K bomber, the JL-10 trainer jet, as well as the WZ-7 and WZ-10 reconnaissance drones, had arrived in Zhuhai by Sunday, CCTV reported.

China's 41st Antarctic expedition team departed on a nearly seven-month mission to Antarctica on Friday, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. During this time, researchers will work on building supporting infrastructure for the Qinling Station in Antarctica, study the effects of climate change on the Antarctic ecosystem, and engage in international research and logistical collaboration.

This also marks the first time scientists from Hong Kong have been selected to join the national Antarctic expedition team. It not only reflects the country's recognition of Hong Kong's polar research efforts but also highlights Hong Kong's potential to play an active role in the nation's scientific research and development tasks, marking a milestone for the region, Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki said on Friday.

During the mission, the expedition team will finalize the installation and interior work finishing the primary building structure at Qinling Station. The team will also, for the first time, conduct an overwintering research mission in Antarctica.

A primary scientific goal of the expedition is to investigate the impact of climate change on the Antarctic ecosystem. Using the research vessels Xuelong and Xuelong 2, the team will conduct comprehensive monitoring in key regions, including Prydz Bay in East Antarctica, the Cosmonauts Sea, the Ross Sea, the Amundsen Sea, and the surrounding waters of the Antarctic Peninsula. 

The surveys will cover key areas such as biological ecosystems, aquatic environments, sedimentary conditions, atmospheric conditions, and pollutant distribution. Additional studies on ecosystem health, coastal marine environments, and soil conditions will also be carried out at China's Kunlun, Taishan, Zhongshan, and Great Wall stations to deepen understanding of Antarctica's role in global climate change.

The expedition will also expand international cooperation across scientific research and logistical support. Through initiatives such as the Circumpolar Action Plan, the team will pursue joint research on critical frontiers in Antarctic science. 

Key collaborative projects include an aerial survey of the Enderby Land region with Norwegian and Australian partners to examine ice, ocean, and bedrock interactions, which are essential for accurately assessing the ice sheet's mass balance and stability. 

Furthermore, China will continue to strengthen bilateral and multilateral logistical partnerships with the US, the UK, Australia, Italy, South Korea, Russia, and Chile.

The team is composed of over 500 members from more than 80 domestic organizations, and supported by three ships. Xuelong and Xuelong 2, departing from Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, will primarily handle scientific research, personnel transportation, and logistical resupply, while the Yong Sheng cargo vessel, departing from Zhangjiagang, East China's Jiangsu Province, will transport essential construction materials for Qinling Station's infrastructure.

The expedition is expected to return to China in May 2025.

This year commemorates the 40th anniversary of the start of China's polar expeditions. Over the past four decades, China has continuously strengthened its comprehensive capabilities in polar expedition and actively cooperated with relevant countries, and has made significant contributions toward understanding, protecting, and utilizing polar resources.

China's 40th Antarctic expedition successfully concluded on April 10, with the Xuelong returning to port in Qingdao, Shandong Province. The mission yielded significant results, such as completing an aerial scientific survey of the ice sheet margins of Queen Maud Land and Enderby Land, as part of a major international polar cooperation project.

In a so-called "most concerted" move against sanction circumvention aimed at intensifying pressure on Russia, the US Treasury and State departments have imposed sanctions on entities and individuals from over a dozen countries. 

Experts said that the latest move comes as the US government is caught in a dilemma as it has lost control over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, the new curbs are unlikely to have a substantial impact on Moscow's military capabilities, they said.

The US Treasury and State departments imposed sanctions on nearly 400 entities and people from over a dozen countries in fresh action against Russia, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing a US official who described the action as the "most concerted" push against third-country evasion. 

"The Biden administration is trying to further isolate Russia through intensifying sanctions, but it is caught in a dilemma on the issue as the situation on the battlefield is spiraling out of US control," Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday. 

"If the US chooses to withdraw from the engagement, it will be another embarrassing moment exposing its incompetence, similar to the withdrawal from Afghanistan; but if it continues to escalate its involvement, the Ukraine crisis could drag the US down a bottomless pit where Washington can neither financially nor politically meet the growing needs," Lü said. 

According to Reuters, countries affected by the curbs include Russia, China, India, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia and Switzerland. The sanctions targeted dozens of companies from China and India, marking the largest collective action against entities from these countries to date, the report said. 

To what extent can the US weaken Russia through these curbs? Lü said that non-US supply chains have emerged. Many American and European companies are also seeking to 'de-Americanize' their operations to strengthen other trade relations, as using US technology can subject them to unreasonable US restrictions.

In terms of the US move's impact on Russian military capabilities, the expert believes the sanctions are rather ineffective, as Russia has an independent weapon system and does not need to rely on other countries.

China has accelerated efforts to expand medical insurance coverage for assisted reproductive technology services, with more than 20 provincial-level regions officially including these services in their medical insurance coverage, as part of a series of measures to encourage fertility and support long-term balanced population development.

The provincial-level regions, including South China's Guangdong Province and Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, have officially made announcements to begin implementing the relevant policies from October this year.

For instance, a total of 13 therapeutic assisted reproductive medical services, including "sperm selection treatment" and "egg retrieval surgery," have been included in the medical insurance coverage in Southwest China's Chongqing. The policy will come into effect on January 1, 2025, according to the Chongqing healthcare security authority.

Taking the data from a hospital from Guangdong as an example, the prices for most assisted reproductive technology services decreased after the relevant services were included into the medical insurance coverage. The cost of artificial insemination has fallen by around 50 percent, while fees for procedures like embryo transfer have seen an average decline of over 15 percent, according to the Guangdong healthcare security authority.

More couples are facing the challenges of infertility in modern society due to multiple factors such as a fast-paced lifestyle, and delayed marriage and childbearing age, Jiang Quanbao, a professor from the Institute for Population and Development Studies at Xi'an Jiaotong University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

China has introduced the supportive measures aimed at "promoting long-term balanced population development," including medical insurance coverage for assisted reproduction technologies to assist families facing challenges in having children, to alleviate the economic burden they face, said Jiang.

China on Monday introduced a series of new birth support policies. Among the policies, assisted reproductive technology services will be added to the list of services that qualify for medical insurance reimbursement, according to a government document.

Since July 2023, some regions such as Beijing and South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have gradually included the relevant assisted reproductive technology services in their medical insurance reimbursement. Soon after, other regions actively followed suit, according to National Healthcare Security Administration.

Currently, there are still a few provincial-level regions that have not officially included assisted reproductive technology in their medical insurance including Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Southwest China's Guizhou Province and North China's Tianjin.

Some of them, such as Heilongjiang and Tianjin, have published relevant drafts for public consultation and have completed the process of soliciting opinions from the public, according to the local healthcare security authorities.