TC

Scenes

Sound

Notes

Opening

00:00—00:17

Shao Changfang’s and Wang Jianna’s footages of children been taken away + Shao’s face now

UPSOT:

--Shao Changfang: What are you doing?

--Grandfather: I’m not letting you in.

--Shao Changfang: What are you doing? Why can’t I get in the car with my son?

--Grandfather: I’m not letting you in.

--Shao Changfang: What are you doing?

VO:

In China, tens of thousands of children are abducted every year in divorce cases.

The culprits? Their own parents.

 00:17—00:20

UPSOT:

--Zeng Xinyi: Why did you steal my son? You abducted him from our hometown!

 00:21—00:27

Zeng Xinyi’s footages of children been taken away + Zeng’s face now

SYNC:

Zeng Xinyi: Six or seven of them came over...

 and just took my son from my father’s hand.

 00:28—00:41

VO：

When Chinese couples separate, abducting and hiding a child is a common tactic to win custody. With little legal recourse, the other parent faces an impossible situation.

 00:42—00:52

Shao’s interview

Footage of Shao Changfang’s husband holding the son in the policy station.

SYNC

Shao Changfang: After he abducted our child,

he created a situation…

where the child lives with him long-term.

And that leads to him being granted custody.

An illegal act gets him a legal outcome.

 00:53—00:56

Zeng Xinyi shout loudly in front of her husband now live apartment in Shanghai

UPSOT:

Zeng Xinyi: Little Jin, mum came to see you.

00:57—01:16

VO：

101 EAST investigates child abductions in China and meets the parents desperately searching for their children.

Part 1 The hidden children

 TITLE: CHINA’S HIDDEN CHILDREN

01:17—01:32

Shao Changfang walks into her room and gets ready for a videocall with her son

VO：

Shao Changfang is the mother of a five-year-old boy.

But the only signs of him in her Beijing apartment are these photos and a handful of toys.

She only sees him on a video call once a week.

Beijing

 01:33—01:46

 Shao’s interview

SYNC:

My son was taken away on 2nd February, 2021. The weekly 20-minute video calls are my only contact with my child. But I have no idea where he is.

 01:47—02:21

No one answers the videocall. Shao Changfang message with her husband.

UPSOT：

Shao Changfang:

He didn’t pick up.

Messages on Shao’s phone screen:

Shao’s husband: If there’s anything, just text. For a variety of reasons we can’t do the 10 a.m. video call.

Shao Changfang: Why did you not tell me this beforehand? Today is the first day of the New Year. I need to let my son know that his mother loves him.

 02:22—02:41

Broll of Shao Changfang’s room

VO：

On the morning of February 2nd, 2021, Changfang hugged her son and left him in the care of her mother-in-law.

Her husband had filed for divorce, and they had a court hearing that day.

But when Changfang returned home, her son and her mother-in-law were nowhere to be found.

 02:42—02:52

Shao Changfang interview:

UPSOT：

Shao Changfang:

Everything happened so suddenly.

I figured the divorce could be tough

on me and my son…

but I never thought he’d be abducted.

 02:53—03:22

Shao Changfang’s footage of she tried to reach out her son from her mother-in-law, but being rejected.

Shuo-joh

VO：

She called the police, but was told there was nothing they could do because it was a family matter.

After five months of searching, relatives told her that her son was with his grandparents in Shuozhou, more than 400 kilometers from Beijing.

She went there to confront them.

UPSOT：

--Shao Changfang: What are you doing?

--Grandfather: I’m not letting you in.

--Shao Changfang: What are you doing? Why can’t I get in the car with my son?

--Grandfather: I’m not letting you in.

--Shao Changfang: What are you doing?

 03:23—03:29

VO：

As her son was driven away that day, it was the last time she saw him in person.

03:30—03:43

SYNC：

Shao Changfang:

I didn’t want to give up.

But there was nothing I could do.

It was so hard for my son.

I felt terribly sorry for him.

03:44—03:50

Devastated, Changfang returned to Beijing alone.

Her father Shao Jiandong now lives with her

 03:51—04:14

A dinner between Shao Changfang and her father at home on the first day of 2022.

UPSOT：

Father of Shao Changfang:  

Of course, parents want their child to have a good life. I hope you can solve the issues in your family.

There’s a good solution to every problem.

Everything will be okay.

 04:15—04:22

VO：

Changfang tries calling her estranged husband again in the afternoon, and this time is able to talk to her son.

04:23—04:57

Shao Changfang tries to videocall her son later that day. The son, little stone, was sound mute but crying through the entire 25 mins of videocall.

UPSOT：

Shao Changfang:

Hello, look at this boy!

Hello, little boy!

Happy New Year to my Little Stone.

Why are you crying?

 Tell mummy.

Mummy really wants to hug you.

You’re sad because you haven’t seen

mummy in a year, right?

Let me have a look, little boy.

 04:58—05:11

Shao Changfang interacts with her son from her end.

SYNC：

Shao Changfang:

I think he feels anxious because

the family isn’t together…

and a sense of panic because

he has been taken all over the country.

I don’t think these calls can make up for it.

 05:12—06:21

Shao Changfang opens gifts that she prepare for her son, but her son doesn’t show much interests.

After 25 mins of video call, Shao Changfang’s son was told to say bye.

Shao Changfang ends the call.

UPSOT：

--Shao Changfang:

I want to open up this present for you!

Let’s be happy, shall we?

Today is the first day of the New Year.

Let’s be happy, shall we?

Let’s have a look, shall we?

Look at this.

Look at this.

Who is this?

Do you recognise it?

It’s a mother pig…

Right?

Little Stone, where did you run off to?

--Little Stone: Mama…

--Shao Changfang: Here.

--Little stone: Mama, bye-bye.

--Shao Changfang: Oh, you want…

Come in front of the camera,

let mum see you…

and say goodbye to mum, all right?

--Little stone: Mama, grandma…

--Shao Changfang: What did grandma do?

You want to play, right?

----Little stone: Mama, bye bye…

--Shao Changfang: You are so sad.

Okay, bye-bye.

Let’s meet another day, okay?

Don’t cry, don’t cry.

If you cry, mummy will be sad.

Bye-bye.

 06:22—06:49

Shao Changfang gets emotion after the videocall, seeing her son crying for 25 mins with sound mute.

UPSOT

Shao Changfang:

This is the first time I’ve video-called my son…

and he was crying the whole time.

I’m sure he feels very sad…

because he hasn’t seen his mother for a year.

The people around him keep

telling him his mother is no good…

so that must be confusing for him.

‘I obviously love my mother,

why are you making me speak ill of her?’

He’s very sad because he’s a delicate child.

 06:50—07:16

 no parent has never been convicted for abducting their child.

Police determine that a child has been taken away by one of their parents while both parents are a married couple, they consider it not a case of human trafficking, abduction or a missing child, but a family matter.

VO:

Chinese authorities have long considered a parent hiding a child from their spouse a family dispute.

So far, not a single case against a parent abducting a child has been accepted by a Chinese court

Changfang’s only hope for reuniting with her son is to win custody rights by filing for divorce.

However, as past cases show, the parent with the child is usually awarded custody.

 07:17—07:24

Shao Changfang touches her son’s photo.

SYNC：

Shao Changfang:

After he abducted our child…

he created a situation

where the child lives with him long-term.

 07:24—07:43

Shao Changfang Interview

UPSOT:

Shao Changfang:

An illegal act gets him a legal outcome,

where he is granted custody.

Doesn’t that invite such behaviour?

If courts make these decisions again and again…

isn’t that a hint to parents that,

as long as they abduct their children…

everything will be okay?

What good is the law if we can’t get justice?

 07:43—07:51

Beginning of “Lawyer Zhang talks about Marriage” Online show

UPSOT：

Zhang Jing:

Good afternoon, everyone. Marriage lawyer Zhang…

is here to see you again in our living room.

 07:51—08:18

Footage of Zhangjin speaking in her show.

Broll of Zhang Jing’s office and she working.

VO：

Zhang Jing is Changfang’s lawyer and an expert on marital law. She regularly shares videos on social media to help women learn about their legal rights.

The number of children being abducted by their own father or mother has risen in recent years.

Based on Chinese court records… Jing estimates 80,000 were abducted in custody disputes in 2019.

 08:18—09:13

Interview with Zhang Jing

Broll of Beijing’s women

UPSOT

Zhang Jing:

Traditionally, a couple lives with the man’s family.

A woman marries into his family.

Mothers and their children

are all part of the man’s family.

When it comes to divorce…

the woman can leave,

but the child has to stay.

This is related to traditional notions.

The phenomenon of children

being abducted and hidden…

I think, is related to how society

has changed in recent years.

Women have more power.

They’re financially independent.

And their outlook on life is different than before.

When it comes to divorce…

custody rights become a big dispute.

09:13—09:38

Zeng Xinyi search on the internet.

Zung

Zung-zho

VO:

While Changfang at least gets to video call her son, another mother, Zeng Xinyi isn’t so fortunate.

It’s been more than four years since her life was torn apart.

After Xinyi separated from her husband, his relatives snatched her son off the street near her home in Zhangzhou.

Shanghai

 09:38—09:46

Zeng Xinyi looks at photos of her son in the room.

UPSOT:

Zeng Xinyi:

I haven’t dared to watch this video again.

 09:47—10:12

The footage of Zeng Xinyi’s son been taken away.

VO:

This CCTV footage shows the moment the two-year-old was abducted.

SYNC：

Zeng Xinyi:

My father took my son for a walk

through the neighbourhood.

Six or seven of them came over…

and just took my son from my father’s hand.

I was upstairs at the time.

My neighbour came up to tell me

my son had been taken away.

I was in shock.

 10:12—10:31

VO：

Over the next four years, Xinyi never  got to spend time with her son as his father continued moving him around.

Xinyi’s husband finally agreed to a divorce in 2020.

The court awarded him custody rights on the grounds that the boy had lived with his father for a long time.

 10:31—10:45

 Xinyi’s photo footage

VO：

Xinyi finally discovered her son was in Shanghai when she saw a photo taken on his birthday.

She immediately moved to the city and tracked down where he was and where he went to school.

 10:45—10:54

VO：

Xinyi waits outside her son’s school gate every morning and afternoon, hoping to catch a glimpse of him from a distance.

 10:54—11:45

Zeng Xinyi approaches to a student and his son’s teacher.

Teacher Zhang

UPSOT：

Zeng Xinyi: Teacher Zhang, sorry to bother again. Where has he been these two days?

The teacher: He hasn’t come to school.

Zeng Xinyi: Could you tell his father to let him come to class?

His schooling shouldn’t be interrupted.

The teacher to the other student says: Thank you. Write faster tomorrow, okay?

Zeng Xinyi: Could you do that?

His father will listen to you.

You can persuade him.

He said that in order to avoid me

he won’t let him come to class.

The teacher: I don’t know what the reason is.

Zeng Xinyi: Right.

The teacher: Last time he said the boy was ill.

He didn’t say anything else.

Zeng Xinyi: Please try to get in contact with him.

It’s been too many days.

He should let him go to school.

The teacher: I will try again,

because he said the boy was ill.

He didn’t say anything else.

Zeng Xinyi: Right.

 11:45—11:56

Footages of Zeng Xinyi once got closer up to his son, who was with his grandmother and aunt.

VO：

Once, when Xinyi tried to approach her son after school, her mother-in-law and sister-in-law intervened.

A fight broke out in front of the school gate.

11:56—12:15

- Zeng Xinyi’s sister-in-law pushes her away

-Zeng Xinyi’s mother-in-law spits on her

- Zeng Xinyi’s son crying aside.

UPSOT：

Zeng Xinyi: Why are you stealing my child?

You’ve been hiding him for so long.

Zeng Xinyi: That’s my child.

Why are you scaring him like this?

SYNC：

Zeng Xinyi: Wouldn’t any mother whose child has been taken from her for three years resist…

 if she was kept from seeing him?

 12:16—12:26

VO：

After witnessing the scuffle, many other parents have become sympathetic to Xinyi’s fight.

When they drop off their own children, they keep track of whether her son has come to school.

 12:26—12:50

Back in reality, Zeng Xinyi approaches to some mid-aged men, one works as parking lots across the school gate, who help Zeng Xinyi to pay attention to if his son goes to school or now. Others are ones who wait to pick up their children from school. They share sympathy for Zeng Xinyi, and try to give her suggestion on meeting her son.

UPSOT：

 If you see him, take a photo.

Zeng Xinyi: His teacher doesn’t know why he took time off.

I asked her to persuade his father

to let him come to school.

The man 2: You’re such a decent person.

If it were me,

I’d go talk to the principal.

Zeng Xinyi: I have talked to her.

 I did this morning.

The man 1: What did she say?

Zeng Xinyi: She didn’t want to be involved.

She told me to speak to his teacher,

and then she walked away.

The man 1: Don’t start a fight.

If you see him, take a photo,

that’s all.

You need evidence.

 12:51—13:07

Many parents are waiting outside of the school to pick up their children, and Zeng Xinyi is one of them.

VO:

In 60 percent of cases, it’s fathers who abduct children, and usually those taken - are boys under the age of 6.

Sons are traditionally favoured in China, because they carry on the family bloodline.

 13:07—13:18

Zeng Xinyi leaves alone on the sidewalk of the shcool.

SYNC

Zeng XInyi: They figured he’s the oldest grandchild, and he’s a boy.

They felt he was their family’s future.

They really treasure him.

 13:19—13:38

Shanghai Broll

UPSOT：

Zeng Xinyi: I went to the court.

His relatives thought,

‘if you really make such a big deal out of it,

we won’t let you see him.’

It’s as if they saw my child as an object that…

they could use to take revenge on me.

 13:38—13:53

Shanghai Broll

SYNC：

Zeng Xinyi: My child is my weak spot.

It made me feel like I had failed as a mother.

I told myself I will never be this naive again.

 13:53—14:45

Zeng Xinyi is in a car while getting a call from Women’s federation.

VO:

Unable to see her son at school, Xinyi contacts the All-China Women’s Federation, a government  organization that supports women’s rights.

UPSOT

--Women’s federation:

He isn’t picking up the phone.

I’ve told the neighbourhood committee

about your situation.

If you’ve made video calls…

that means you’ve not been fully blocked

from seeing your child.

--Zeng Xinyi：

I know, but he refuses any form of contact.

He has blocked me everywhere.

He doesn’t answer my calls.

--Women’s federation:

There’s nothing else I can do.

There is no legal instrument.

We can only be passive.

We called but he didn’t answer.

--Zeng Xinyi: Okay, I see.

I will try to chat with the neighbourhood committee.

--Women‘s Federation: Take care.

 14:45—14:56

Zeng Xinyi walks up to her husband’s apartment in Shanghai.

VO:

Because her husband refuses to communicate, it seems the women’s federation, the school, and the neighbourhood committee are all unable to help Xinyi reunite with her son.

 14:56—15:09

Zeng Xinyi knocks the door and ask for child, but no one responds.

UPSOT

Zeng Xinyi: Little Jin, mum came to see you.

VO:

So she decides to take matters into her own hands.

UPSOT

Zeng Xinyi: Open the door.

I want to see my son.

VO:

She has come to her husband’s home to try to talk to her son.

 15:09—15:25

SYNC

Zeng Xinyi: If you hide a child like this every day… don’t let him go to kindergarten…

you lock him inside the home and bring him…

to a different relative all the time…

then I can’t wait for your response any longer.

I won’t sit still.

 15:25—15:49

 the cctv footage contains Zeng two different attempts. She was pushed off the stairs by a man once, and other time, she was pulled water while waited outside.

VO:

But it might put her in a dangerous and unpredictable situation.

 Earlier attempts by Xinyi to visit her son at home ended in violence and assault..

But it’s no use. There’s no response.  And Xinyi is left with little choice but to leave without seeing her son.

15:49—16:03

Shao Changfang say about her son’s clothes.

VO:

Back in Beijing, Changfang’s husband withdrew his divorce filing in October 2021.

Changfang has now decided to file for divorce herself to try and get custody of her son.

BeiJing

16:03—16:41

UPSOT

Shang Changfang:

Before my son was taken away,

this is what he was wearing.

It was winter,

so he was wearing pyjamas.

I’ve always left these on the bed.

He’s been gone for a year…

so he must have grown at least 10 centimetres.

In the videos he looks taller and bigger…

so I bought him clothes in a bigger size.

I hope they fit.

It’s been a year since I last saw him.

I wanted to buy him shoes,

but I have no idea what size he wears now.

We’ll get those when he’s moved back.

 16:41—17:02

Shao Changfang organize her son’s favorite car toys.

UPSOT

Shao Changfang:

These are his toy cars.

Even though we haven’t seen each other in a year… we still have that mother-son bond.

I showed him his toys from when he was little…

and he immediately remembered.

I feared he would forget about me,

but he hasn’t.

Those moments make me feel good.

 17:02—17:27

Shao Changfang prepares the material for her divorce case

VO：

Until recently, stability was a key factor that courts considered when granting custody.

This made abducting a child a common tactic.

 A legal amendment in June 2021 banned parents from snatching children in custody disputes.

Shao Changfang and her lawyer Jing are hopeful that she may now have a better chance of being reunited with her son.

 17:28—17:40

Zhang Jing Interview

SYNC：

Zhang Jing:

Most importantly, we had nothing,

and now we have something.

One parent keeping the other parent

out of their child’s life…

is a violation of a child’s rights.

 17:40—17:52

Zhang Jing interview

UPSOT:

Zhang Jing: The law acts as a final barrier

to protect the rights of children.

We’ve been leading the way

for a new understanding of this issue.

The law is no longer silent.

 17:53—18:03

Shao Changfang comes to visit Zhang Jing in her office.

UPSOT:

--Shao Changfang: Lawyer Zhang! I’m here!

--Zhang Jing: Hello!

VO：

The day before the hearing, Changfang visits Jing’s office to prepare.

 18:04—18:45

In Zhang Jing’s office, Shao Changfang talks about her videocall and expectation for her divorces case.

SYNC：

Zhang Jing:

Happy New Year!

This is the first time we’ve meet this year.

Zhang Jing: Have you seen him recently?

Shao Changfang:

Apart from the weekly call…

he also sent me three videos.

It’s a kind of appeasement.

Zhang Jing:

It’s been going on for so long now.

We’re already at the appeals stage

of a regular legal process.

Whatever the court decides we have to accept.

But getting to see your son has to be allowed.

He’s been crying his heart out.

If custody can be given to us,

we will strive for it.

If we aren’t given custody,

we want visitation rights.

In short, we only care

about the child’s needs.

 18:45—19:01

 B-roll of Changfang in the street in front of the court.

VO:

On January 6, 2022, the court heard Changfang’s divorce case. She confronted her husband during an emotional hour-long hearing.

 19:01—19:40

Shao Changfang and her lawyer Zhang Jing outside of court

SYNC：

Shao Changfang:

Now we just have to wait for the result.

I was afraid he wouldn’t show up.

At the end of the hearing I really wanted to cry.

Zhang Jing:

I think the judge was very

understanding of your situation.

Shao Changfang:

Yes. He knew all about it.

Zhang Jing:

It’s not something anyone should ever do.

Shao Changfang：

It feels like we’re back at the start.

There may be more problems about our son later.

Zhang Jing：It won't be like this forever.

There’s always going to be a solution.

Shao Changfang：

Yes.

19:41—19:53

Pix of Changfang leaving?

Start pix of video here?

VO: Changfang holds onto hope and her memories of when she and her son were together.

 This video was taken days before he was taken away.

 19:53—20:15

February 2021

Footage of Changfang and her son walking in the park, labeled “This video was taken days before Changfang’s son was taken away.”

Little Stone：Mummy, are we going this way?

Shao Changfang：Yes.

Little Stone：Okay then I’ll walk here.

Shao Changfang：Okay, you go ahead.

Little Stone：Mum, stay close.

Look, there’s the sea.

Shao Changfang：Haha, the sea?

Little Stone：Don’t you think that’s scary?

There’s a ladder there.

Shao Changfang：That’s a ladder?

 20:15—20:23

Shot of a fork in the road, with Changfang slowly walking into view

SYNC

Shao Changfang:

I’ve fantasised many times about the day…

when my son comes back to me.

 20:23—20:45

Fade in of a park where children are playing with their parents and grandparents. Shots of Changfang’s close-up, a train a passing by and a plane flying over.

SYNC

Shao Changfang:

I might not hug him and weep.

I’ll very calmly take his hand and tell him…

‘Let’s go home with mum.

Did you go on a trip?

Did you see a lot of beautiful scenery?

Tell mum about it.’

I might pick him up this way,

as if he never left me.

 20:45—21:00

VO:

After an anxious two-month wait, the court reaches a verdict.

 21:00—21:22

SYNC

Zhang Jing on the phone：They’ve given you custody.

Shao Changfang：Amazing!

I was almost scared to death,

lawyer Zhang.

Zhang Jing on the phone: I was also very worried.

It’s been so difficult.

Shao Changfang：Great, great, great.

 21:22—21:43

Changfang, while crying, calls her parents and friends to share the news.

SYNC：

Last year was the hardest year of my life.

It was also the most valuable year of my life.

Even though I was separated from my son…

I also gained a lot of inner strength.

I found I’m no longer afraid of this issue.

I’m convinced this will all be resolved.

 21:44—21:59

VO:

Having been given custody of her son, Changfang contacts her husband. She hopes the verdict will make him bring their child back to Beijing.

But she finds he has no such plans.

 22:00—22:44

 CAN WE HAVE PAUSES WHERE HER HUSBAND SPOKE TO SHOW SHE IS LISTENING. DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE ACTUAL LISTENING TIME, BUT TO IMPLY THAT SHE IS LISTENING TO SOMEONE, EVEN THOUGH WE CAN’T HEAR IT.

LIKE IF YOU HEAR SOMEONE TALKING ON THE PHONE TO SOMEONE ON THE BUS AND YOU CAN’T HEAR THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CONVERSATION

SYNC：

Shao Changfang: Hello?

Shao Changfang: You’ve seen the verdict, right?

Shao Changfang: The verdict, the verdict.

Shao Changfang: So, when can I see our Little Stone?

Shao Changfang:

It hasn’t gone into effect…

I can still see my son.

You’re going to appeal.

Why can’t I see my son

before the verdict goes into effect?

So you’re saying

that before the appeal verdict…

you’ll keep not letting me see my son,

is that right?

Shao Changfang: Before the verdict goes into effect…

as a mother,

I have the right to see my son.

 22:45—23:01

VO:

 Changfang is devastated that despite winning custody, she can’t see her child until her husband’s appeal is heard.

But she refuses to stop fighting for her son. Today she makes another video call with him.

 23:02—24:08

Shao Changfang has video call with Little Stone near the lake they had been.

SYNC：

Shao Changfang: The weather is so nice today.

Look at the blue sky.

Mother’s face in the sun shines brightly.

I’m so happy.

Right?

Little Stone: Will you bring bad people to abduct me?

Shao Changfang: There are no bad people.

Mummy won’t abduct you.

Little Stone: But last time…

Shao Changfang: Last time bad people abducted you. Mummy tried to save you.

You’re too young.

You don’t need to think about these things.

You’ll understand once you’re older.

Okay?

Can mummy send you something?

How about something nice to eat?

Little Stone: Okay.

Shao Changfang: Okay, you agree?

No problem.

What would you like?

Little Stone: But don’t lie.

Shao Changfang: I’m not lying.

Mummy never lies.

I’ve never told Little Stone any lies, have I?

Shao Changfang: Do you see it?

 24:08—24:25

Zeng Xinyi on a subway in Shanghai.

While Changfang’s husband appeals the custody ruling, all she can do is wait.

Back in Shanghai, Xinyi is also waiting on a court hearing. She hopes she will finally see her son next summer holidays.

 24:25—24:51

City skylines, street views Zeng walking on the streets, she passes by and sees kids playing, in Shanghai.

The reply of Shao Changfang’s ex-husband.

The reply of Zeng Xinyi’s husband.

VO：Even though the recent legal amendment clearly bans abducting and hiding children, critics argue the law is an “empty threat” because it lacks effective enforcement methods.

Neither Changfang’s or Xinyi’s husband received any punishment for abducting their child.

The two men did not respond to our requests for an interview.

 24:51—25:20

Shao and Zeng, mixed cut, two of them walk away wide shots.

VO：In China, there are thousands of parents forcibly separated from their children.

Many give up, but those like Changfang and Xinyi are determined to keep on fighting -

No matter how long it takes.

Both mothers are still waiting for the day they can  hold their sons again.