Police officers urges a man to set free his boss who is taken as his hostage at ax point as he attempts to retain his monthly salary of 3,000 yuan (US$375) during an an-hour hostage standoff on a street in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province December 8, 2006. The local police have succeeded in rescuing the hostage and putting the man under control. Police investigation continues. [Newsphoto]

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