An external blog I highly recommend reading is CNN blogs, the site contains many different types of blogs and all of which are well -written. The entry that caught my attention is the one on China regarding their holiday inn being used as a black jail.

An old couple traveled to Beijing but were instead held captive at “Holiday Inn Express Nanhuizui – located in Lingang New City on the outskirts of Shanghai” during their 8 day stay. Their only souvenir? A room key. During their duration, the two were unable to buy or walk outside their room, having been tied down by a bedspread at one point.

How did this all happen? Once the couple left the Beijing airport, they were said to have been picked up by police men in casual clothing. Then forced to travel back to Shanghai where they were held separately. The two were completely being held against their will.

The reasoning behind all this? It has been reported that the motives for this was to keep the old couple from “airing grievances to the central government during the 10-day annual meeting of China’s legislature in March”. Despite all the reports from other tourists who have the same experience, the hotel management denies all claims.

The reported hotel is obviously an underground jail used by some private firm. Not only is the reason behind the business highly unethical, but the illegal way they treat their customers and the elder.