A child begs on a Beijing subway train during the summer vacation. (Photo/Beijing Youth Daily)

Beijing subway riders in recent months may have noticed an increase in child beggars. In the summer holidays, some parents from underdeveloped regions have again brought their children to the capital city to earn next year's tuition fees through begging.

A source from Rail Traffic Law Enforcement says that since July, more than 40 beggars have been punished and more than 250 individuals and groups have been persuaded to relocate. The majority came from Minxian county of Northwest China's Gansu province, the source says.

Seasonal begging

Liu Ying (an assumed name), 14, has come to Beijing with her mother and 10-year-old brother for the third consecutive summer. She and her brother's regular begging route is the No.10 metro line.

They leave home at seven or eight in the morning and return by four or five. One day's begging earns them between 30 and 80 yuan.

Last year, Liu was taken into police custody, but because she was underage, the police could do nothing but release her with a warning.

Liu is in her first year at a junior middle school in Minxian, and her brother will be a fourth grader starting this autumn semester.

From subway to the street

But for Yang Xian and her husband Zhang Chengliang, who come from the same county, the journey was not so smooth. The couple and their two children have begged in subways to pay debts and school fees.

However, on just their third day in Beijing, Yang was detained by police.

The family lost their house in an earthquake two years ago and a new one cost them more than 60,000 yuan. Their income from farming medicinal herbs was not enough to pay their debt. Learning from fellow townsfolk that begging in Beijing could be lucrative, the couple followed suit.

Zhang then avoided begging in the subway and asked for money on the street, earning about 30 yuan a day.

In addition to police, beggars also have to watch out for other threats. They try to avoid "hot" subway routes because they are frequented by "bullies who hit fellow beggars with sticks."

Horrified after being detained, Yang says she does not plan to return to Beijing to beg next year, and hopes her husband will find a job soon so she can stay home and continue farming. The incident has also scarred their daughter - the girl remained silent for several days after the incident.

Homework after begging

Yang and Zhang brought their daughter's summer holiday homework to Beijing and watched her complete it at the end of each day begging.

Zhang said his daughter is a good student, having "earned three certificates of merits this semester," while their kindergarten-aged son is also very bright, and will be "as outstanding as his sister in the future."

Liu Ying used to bring her homework with her while begging in Beijing, but she decided to drop out of school so she could stay home and take care of her brother.

Liu's dream is to become a fashion designer, while her little brother dreams of being an astronaut.