The Times newspaper reports that Chinese ambassy in London has critized Channel 4’s programme about child trafficking in China. It has been in touch with the broadcasting regulator Ofcom and is expected to write to Channel 4’s board. The report also says Chinese ambassy is considering seeking an injunction to prevent the programme being shown on Channel 4. Zhao Shangsen, press counsellor to the embassy, wrote to the programme makers saying: “The programme is deeply flawed, ignorant and simplistic.” The ambassy is also said being angry that it is not given an advance screening and right of reply of the programme.

Richard Brooks of The Times reports:

The Chinese embassy in London is trying to stop Channel 4 broadcasting a documentary about the trade in stolen children in China.

The embassy is considering seeking an injunction to try to prevent China’s Stolen Children being shown on October 8. It has also been in touch with Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator, and is expected to write to Channel 4’s board.

The Chinese are angry that they are not being given an advance screening of the documentary, which claims that the trade in stolen children is widespread. C4 says it is not its policy to show such programmes in advance.

However, the programme makers have provided the embassy with a three-page letter detailing their evidence. Professor Kevin Bales, a consultant to the United Nations programme on people trafficking, says in the film that at least 70,000 young children a year are sold or stolen in China.

Zhao Shangsen, press counsellor to the embassy, wrote to the programme makers saying: “The programme is deeply flawed, ignorant and simplistic.” He denies any link between child trafficking and China’s one-child policy, pointing to trafficking in other countries which do not have state-imposed birth control.

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