China: Shanghai Taxi Gang Preys on Tourists; Unusual Hostage Incident in Xi’an

By Larry Habegger | Permalink | No Comments | March 12th, 2008 | Trackback

A Shanghai taxi gang has been preying on tourists arriving in the city center on the high-speed train from Pudong Airport by demanding exorbitant fares and then robbing or intimidating their victims to pay up. A recent case of a $1,000 ride that should have cost a few dollars caused a police crackdown and eight suspects have been charged in 13 incidents. In other news, 10 Australian travel agents and their Chinese translator were abducted in the popular tourist city of Xi’an March 5 by a man who claimed to be armed with explosives. He was killed by a police sniper after holding two hostages for several hours. The crime was rare for China, where most crimes against tourists are petty theft and pick-pocketing. Officials called the incident an isolated one, but nonetheless have vowed to increase security for visitors to the city.

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