In Baoding City, Hebei Province, China, a case where an elderly disabled man was treated like a slave for over 20 years has stirred controversy, and authorities have launched an investigation. Chinese media outlet Luwang reported on the 10th.

According to reports, a video of an elderly man filmed recently at a cement store in Qingyuan District of the same city was spread on social media. The man had an unshaven beard and was loading and unloading cement with a vacant expression. He was not wearing a mask, and no dust protection measures were taken.

According to the video, the man woke up after 5 AM every morning and loaded and unloaded over 20 tons of cement daily. He was not paid wages, and there were no labor protection measures. The owner of the cement store said, "He (the man) doesn't have an ID card, and I took him in from a friend. He has been here for over 20 years. If he dies, just bury him." The man himself reportedly said, "I'm very tired. I want to go home."

Subsequently, local public security authorities detained suspect An (An), 57, the owner of the cement store. The man was taken into protection by the local government. As a result of the investigation, the man was found to be from another city, his name was Ding (Ding), and he was 66 years old. The local government reportedly conducted a health check-up for Mr. Ding and confirmed that there were no significant abnormalities. Additionally, DNA testing was conducted on the 9th of this month, identifying his relatives.

Currently, public security authorities have taken compulsory measures of criminal detention against suspect An and are further investigating the case.