Burmese Child Sold in Myanmar by Father, Trafficked in China

Jan 12, 2015 01:39 AM EST

(Photo : Photo distributed by Ma Shan) Khin Khin Oo, a 4-year-old girl, was sold last year by her father in Myanmar and was recovered in China after she was sold to a Chinese couple who wanted to adopt.

A father in Burma sold Khin Khin Oo, his four-year-old daughter, last year in Myanmar and brought her to China to be trafficked, the child's grandmother confirmed.

The girl, who came from a broken family, was reportedly sold for CNY8,000 (US$1,300). Ma Shan, the grandmother, said the child's father, Soe Khine, has heroine addiction and has buried their family in financial problems despite their ability to grow their own corn and rice.

Like Us on Facebook

The child's mother reportedly eloped with another man and left the child's brother under Ma Shan's care.

When Soe Khine took his daughter last year and did not return after four days, Ma Shan guessed something was not right and asked for help from her son's friends.

Aside from being a heroin addict, her son was in debt due to playing cards and gambling, Ma Shan added.

Police were then tapped for help and they said Soe Khine admitted to the crime he has committed, confirming that a woman from Kachin helped him sell his daughter to a Chinese trafficker. The police reportedly went to Ruili, a Chinese border town, and found out that Khin Khin Oo was again traded for CNY12,000 to a childless couple who allegedly wanted to adopt.

After a week of investigation, the Chinese police found Khin Khin Oo and brought her back to her grandmother. The child was not harmed at all and the Chinese couple said they were unaware that she was sold and trafficked.

Khin Khin Oo is now living with an aunt in China as Ma Shan feared that she might again be sold by her father.

This case is rare in Myanmar but trafficking young women is more common. The one-child policy of China and preference for having sons has resulted to a shortage of women for the nation's single men.

Due to the gender imbalance in China, some of the men are turning to international mail-order brides. According to experts, there will be 24 million men in China who will be looking for spouses by the year 2020.

TagsBurmese girl, Myanmar, sold, Father, trafficked to China, sold to a couple, rescued, Chinese officials