Zorro serials seem to have become reality in China's southwestern province of Sichuan as a 42-year-old man announced he had established a rescue center named after the heroic figure in French movie to help those needy people.

The Zorro Rescue Center came into being at a martial arts teaching school in Zhongjiang County and the center owner Zhu Wenguang, 42, is known for his courage and chivalry to aid those abducted people.

Zhu said he would help his clients, based on contracts, to rescue women and children who were abducted and sold, find their lost relatives, escort migrant workers and seek compensation for those killed or injured by industrial accidents.

However, Zhu's heroic conduct requires that his clients pay a maximum service charge of 1,200 yuan (US$145) if they want his help.

Zhu said he would investigate a case legally and provide the clues for public security authorities to help salvage an abducted woman or child.

Local sources said Zhu once served as a soldier in the People's Liberation Army, village head of his native place and a guard, and he had learned and taught martial arts.

It is reported that Zhu has helped police save more than 60 women and children abducted and sold by human traffickers over the past years.

Over 2,000 abducted women and children were rescued by Chinese police from the clutches of human traffickers in 2003, according to a white paper titled Progress in China's Human Rights Cause in 2003, which was released last month.

But Zhu did not say whether he would wear a mask when he carries out his "mission".

The local government was not available immediately for comment on the legal status of Zhu's center.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2004)