Chinese to stop broadcast of 'kids for sale' film

London, Sep 23 (UNI) Britain's Channel 4 has left the Chinese furious over the broadcast of a documentary showing the trade in stolen children in China.

The Chinese embassy in London is trying to stop the channel from broadcasting the documentary on October 8.

The embassy is considering seeking an injunction to prevent its telecast is expected to write to Channel 4's board.

The Chinese were angry that the documentary showing the widespread trade in stolen children was not screened for them, however, The channel said it was not its policy to show such programmes in advance and instead, provided them with a three-page letter detailing their evidence.

A consultant to the United Nations programme on people trafficking Professor Kevin Bales said the film claims that at least 70,000 young children a year are sold or stolen in China.

A press counsellor to the embassy Zhao Shangsen said China has made progress in trying to end child trafficking, which was on a far smaller scale than the programme suggested.

''There is no good in finger-pointing at China,'' he was quoted as saying by the Sunday Times.

In the letter written to Channel 4, Mr Shangsen denied 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.

The programme makers filmed undercover in China, speaking to parents who had had a child stolen or had sold a child, and to traffickers.

More boys are taken than girls because they will grow up to earn more money. Most are taken for childless couples, although some are sold into prostitution.

Channel 4 has already conceded a right of reply at the end of the programme to the Chinese embassy.

With the Olympics in Beijing next year, China's human rights and environmental record will be scrutinised in the West.

UNI