Kidnappers plead guilty

Qing Zhao was kidnapped from her Auckland home on March 7.

Three men pleaded guilty this morning to kidnapping an east Auckland woman Qing Zhao and demanding a $1 million ransom.

The 42-year old woman was snatched from her Bleakhouse Rd, Howick home in March by three Manadrin-speaking men armed with a knife and pistol.

She was blindfolded, gagged and bound before being taken to a house in Pt England where she spent 20 hours locked in a cupboard.

No ransom was paid and the woman, also known as Kelly, was later dumped in bushes in an industrial area of Onehunga.

She managed to free herself from her bonds and phone the police.

Police said she was not given any food during her captivity and was allowed only a few sips of water.

Today in the Manukau District Court three men - Chang Song Li, 32, Zu Ping Zhou, 19, and Xiang Quan Chen, 28 - admitted the kidnapping and aggravated burglary charges. Chen further admitted using a firearm in the commission of a crime.

Sentencing is scheduled for next month.

A fourth man, Wanzhe Gui, 30, is facing four charges and is awaiting a depositions hearing.

All four men have been remanded in custody.

- HERALD STAFF