China executes 2 men over child abductions, sales

Two men were executed for abducting and selling children, some of whom are still not reconnected with their birth families, Reuters reported, citing state media. Separate courts found Hu Minghua, 55, and Su Binde, 27, guilty of taking nine and six children respectively from their families, and the resultant death sentences were carried out on Thursday. Hundreds of children go missing in China each year, and those abducted can also be bought by roving criminal gangs to serve as props for beggars. Others end up sold to rural couples, who in traditional areas prize having a male heir to support the family. Since April, Chinese police have rescued 2,008 abducted children, state media reported.