In a significant development in China's fight against child trafficking, the woman known as 'Aunt Mei,' whose real surname is Xie, was arrested after evading law enforcement for nearly ten years. Authorities in Guangzhou disclosed that Xie had been identified as the intermediary responsible for facilitating the sale of nine children in Guangdong province between 2003 and 2005. Details around the circumstances and timing of her arrest have not been fully disclosed, as the investigation remains ongoing.

The case gained momentum in early 2016 when police apprehended five suspects connected to a broader trafficking ring. Key insights into the trafficking operations emerged from the lead suspect, Zhang Weiping, who admitted during interrogation that 'Aunt Mei' played a pivotal role as an intermediary in the sale of these children. The gravity of the situation was underscored by the severe sentences handed down in 2018 — with Zhang and an accomplice receiving death penalties for their crimes, while two others were sentenced to life in prison and another received ten years.

Xie’s arrest marks a critical step in addressing child trafficking in China, a persistent issue that has drawn significant public outrage and prompted stricter law enforcement measures. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in dismantling such trafficking networks and underscores the importance of continued vigilance and community awareness in combating child exploitation.