A Chinese soldier went missing during a field training activity and the army unit where he belongs is offering up to 100,000 Yuan (about US $16,000) for any information leading to the soldier or his weapon.

The Oriental Morning Post, a publication based in Shanghai, broke the news about the missing soldier, identified as Chen Xin, 22 years old. No other information about Chen was made public.

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Chen was stationed in Hekou county but was reported missing on April 15^th, during a routine exercise. He was carrying his service weapon but the gun did not have ammunition

Hekou is a Chinese county that borders Vietnam.

No further details were given as to the possible cause of the soldier's disappearance, but the army unit and the local government of Hekou have launched a massive search operation to find Chen.

Authorities are also offering up to 500 Yuan for any useful information, in addition to the 100,000 Yuan reward for those who will be able to find Chen. It was not also clear if Chen bolted the army unit on his will or had met an accident during the training.

Last weekend, seven people, including five Chinese illegal migrants and two Vietnamese border guards were killed on the China-Vietnam border when a Chinese man, who refused to be taken back to China, grabbed a guard's gun and started shooting. The fatalities include women and children.

China immediately announced plan to beef up border operations in the county to check on Chinese citizens who will illegally enter Vietnam. The Vietnamese authorities also said it will conduct stricter border security following the shooting incident.