Chinese man subdues thief in Spain, highlights trend of mainlanders tackling criminals abroad

The Star

16-05-2025

A Chinese man has gained widespread attention online after subduing a thief with a rear chokehold on a Spanish street.
Tian, a photographer originally from Shandong province in eastern China, has been living in Spain for 10 years and works for a company in Barcelona.
On April 29, while filming on the street, Tian was approached by a man holding his colleague's phone. The stranger tapped him on the shoulder and asked if it was his.
Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.
'When I reached for the phone, he would not let go. He was stalling so his partner could grab my gear which was nearby,' Tian said.
Moments later, an accomplice made off with a camera and stabiliser worth more than 5,000 euros (US$5,600).
Worried about losing important footage, Tian chased the man down and put him in a rear chokehold.
'After a few seconds, he passed out from lack of oxygen. I loosened up to let him breathe, and he started apologising, saying he felt dizzy,' said Tian.
During the scuffle, his colleagues recovered the stolen equipment.
In a now viral video, Tian can be heard warning the thief: 'Relax. If you struggle, I will squeeze harder.'
The hold lasted about two minutes before the police arrived. Tian then let go.
Officers helped the shaken thief to a nearby flower bed, where he was seen crying and gasping for air.
Onlookers broke into applause, cheering Tian for his swift and courageous actions.
Tian told the mainland media that he has trained in kickboxing and holds the highest black belt rank in taekwondo.
'We Chinese do not seek trouble, but we are not afraid of it either,' he added.
Many netizens messaged Tian asking how to perform a rear chokehold. Tian urged caution.
'Do not use martial arts lightly, especially abroad. You never know if someone might be armed,' he said.
While Barcelona is known for its beautiful architecture and coastal charm, it has also earned the title of Europe's 'pickpocketing capital'.
According to Carpe Diem Tours, nearly half of reported crimes there in 2023 were pickpocketing, mostly in tourist-heavy areas.
Tian offered safety tips for travellers heading to Barcelona, avoid deserted spots, do not carry large amounts of cash, skip flashy designer logos, and set your credit cards to require a password.
'If you spot a thief, shout. Passers-by will always help,' he said.
Tian's story has captivated mainland social media, with related topics attracting more than 30 million views.
One netizen wrote: 'Tian is smart and brave. He is the true pride of China.'
Stories of Chinese people catching thieves in Europe have become a trending topic online.
In March, three students from China chased a phone thief for 800 metres in Italy, earning widespread praise for their bravery.
Meanwhile, a 'European Pickpocket Map' created by Chinese international students is making the rounds on mainland social media platforms. It features photos of suspected thieves and crowdsourced antitheft advice.
More from South China Morning Post:
For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2025.