Chinese police have "smashed" a major human trafficking ring and rescued 36 children who were abducted to be sold, China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said.
According to the MPS, police in east China's Fujian Province received information in May this year about a suspect surnamed Tan who was believed to be involved in child trafficking.
As the investigation unfolded, a major child trafficking ring spanning seven provinces and municipalities was disclosed.
The police say the ring, allegedly led by two suspects named Xiong and Hou and operated by Tan and another suspect Zhang, has been responsible for the trafficking of dozens of infants since 2014, state-run Xinhua news agency reported last night.
A coordinated "recent" raid by police from Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangdong and Yunnan provinces arrested 157 suspects connected to the ring, according to the MPS.
Hundreds of children were abducted every year in China to be sold to childless couples are for begging and criminal activities.
The MPS statement said that China has "zero tolerance" to trafficking of women and children, and will continue to pursue traffickers.
The ministry will also target "buyers" in human trafficking cases, it said.
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