A woman who had been tricked into traveling to South Africa and forced into prostitution for two years returned to China on Wednesday, Shanghai border police said yesterday.

Police said she was from southeast China's Fujian Province but declined to disclose her name.

Officers said the woman, in her 30s, had "cried loudly the moment she saw the police at the airport."

A red-light district in South Africa. [File photo]

She said she used to work in Fujian's Xiamen City and had become acquainted with another Chinese woman, who called herself Mary, after they met in a bar in 2009.

Mary later asked her if she would like to go abroad to "earn big money."

She agreed and, in early 2010 embarked on a journey filled with hope but which soon turned out to one of despair.

The woman, and two others, flew to Mozambique, but when they arrived they were dragged to a car where they were tied up and gagged.

After a drive of more than five hours, the women arrived in Johannesburg in South Africa and locked in a room.

They were forced to "take customers," police said.

The woman refused at first but told police: "I was beaten severely. They even used a knife and cut my body."

The beatings and torture continued for her two years of captivity, she said.

Finally, she grabbed a chance to escape while at a shopping mall.

With the help of local Chinese and Chinese embassy and consulate officials, she managed to get to Shanghai. She has since flown back to Fujian.

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