Winners

Yuk-Kuen Wong struggled against the authorities and in spite of likely censorship to report on the “one child policy” that has been in force in China for decades. Except for farmers and some special cases, each family is allowed only one child. But a traditional preference for male heirs remains ingrained. Some families unable to have boys try to buy them illegally, and this can lead to abductions. Abducted children are sold locally or even abroad, and become the adopted children of other families. Older children who can’t be sold are often forced into prostitution or hard labour.