Girl's research offers insight into beggars

SHANGHAI: A report by a 17-year-old high-school student has provided an interesting insight into the city's so-called "begging phenomenon".

Huang Yan, a student at the No 2 High School of East China Normal University, spent eight months interviewing and photographing 265 beggars for her 48-page report, which was completed earlier this year.

"I was a little shocked to discover that more than 40 percent of the beggars I spoke to were earning more than 1,000 yuan per month," said Huang.