Child beggars caused some concern in the past week risking their lives wandering among heavy traffic at the intersection of Zhongshan Thoroughfare and Chepi Road in Guangzhou.

The children waited for red lights to tap at car windows to ask for money.

Three to five children carrying bowls were seen tapping on car windows at the red light on Chepi Road, the Information Times reported Thursday.

The report quoted insiders as saying the child beggars were organized.

Another three girls, one of whom was no more than three years old, waited on the road in the midst of traffic flows waiting for the lights to change to red.

At the other end of Chepi Road, an elderly man led two boys and three girls begging the same way. The old man carried a "baby" on his back, which turned out to be some clothes packed in the shape of a swaddle. They were a family from Guizhou with no means of support, the old man said.

Patrolling police persuaded the beggars to get off the road Wednesday, but it was not known whether the beggars would return.

A security guard said the risk-begging had lasted more than a week. The beggars came to the road at 11 am each day and stayed until 11 pm. He said the children were gathered together late Friday night and given warm gloves.

A Guangzhou resident who reported the situation to police was told that the civil affairs department would be responsible and help the children return to their families.

(Shenzhen Daily January 30, 2004)