As many have read in recent news, an American business executive
was held captive by employees of his medical supply factory outside
of Beijing. The workers were reportedly worried about wages,
layoffs, and the factory closing. While not harmed (he was
brought three hot meals a day and allowed access to his attorneys),
the executive was not allowed to leave the factory for six days
until he agreed to what he called the workers'
"unjustified demands."
While it is unsettling that such "hostage" situations
occur, what is perhaps more unsettling is that the local police
were reluctant to intervene – deeming it a
business/private dispute, and that the U.S. Embassy – while
checking on the manager's welfare and making sure he had access
to his lawyers, did not appear to be able to provide much more
assistance. However, such actions should not be viewed in a
China vacuum, as similar conduct has occurred in other countries
such as France and Russia.
