A shortage of females in rural China means brides are often bought

State media said police later arrested two women gang members, one just 17 years old, and uncovered a gang believed to have forced at least 105 women into prostitution.

Chinese police say the recent execution of four people for trafficking in women and children shows they are determined to succeed where past campaigns have failed.

Seven thousand women were reported missing last year, mostly from rural areas where many people see nothing wrong with buying kidnapped women.

Women have also been sold as brides in rural areas, where China's one child policy has contributed to a shortage of females.

Prejudice

Challenging social attitudes will be another barrier for police to overcome if their campaign is to succeed.

According to state media, women who have been forced to work as prostitutes often face prejudice if they return to their home villages.

The situation has caused one academic to appeal to the Chinese press not to reveal the identities of rescued women, as he warned this was making it harder for them to find husbands.