Tourist missing, car abandoned

Zhi Qiao

A 27-year-old Chinese tourist went missing on Rota nearly two months ago, with police officers finding his rental vehicle abandoned last April 5.

Department of Public Safety spokesperson Jacqueline Rae Shepard said yesterday that Rota police officers have been unable to locate Zhi Qiao.

Shepard said that, according to the missing tourist’s father, Qiao left Xin Jiang, China alone last March 6 for a vacation on Saipan.

Upon his arrival, Qiao checked into the GT Guest House in Garapan. He checked out last March 25.

Qiao maintained contact with his family in China and notified them via WeChat that he was going to Rota on April 4.

Shepard said that, according to the family, that was Qiao’s last communication with his parents.

Rota police officers found Qiao’s abandoned rental car last April 5. The report did not specify the location of the car where the officers found it.

The parents searched for their son in China, but when they were unable to locate him, they flew to Saipan last May 22.

Shepard said that Li Min Qiao arrived at the DPS headquarters in Susupe last Wednesday, May 30, at 3:32pm, to report that his son, Zhi Quiao, has been missing.

“If you have any information regarding Zhi Qiao, please contact DPS immediately at 664-9001,” Shepard said.

At least six other Chinese nationals have been reported missing on Saipan since 1995, according to Saipan Tribune records based on police reports. Chinese nationals who have been reported missing while swimming or fishing are not included on the list.

Some of those reported missing Chinese nationals in the CNMI include:

• Mei Hua Zhao, 25, a scuba diving instructor. She was reported missing in October 2015. Her friends discovered her 2015 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck parked behind Joker’s Bar near McDonald’s/Mobil gas station in Garapan.

• Saipan Fresh Market owner Zhi Yuan Li. He was reported missing on Jan. 17, 2015. His Toyota Tacoma pickup truck was found abandoned on a dirt road between Ladder Beach and Obyan Beach. A family member offered $50,000 cash reward for information.

• Qi Run Li, manager of King’s Disco in Garapan. He was last seen driving a Toyota Corolla in China Town on June 7, 2010. His car was recovered the following day in a parking lot formerly occupied by Shirley’s Coffee Shop along Middle Road in Chalan Laulau. His family offered a $20,000 cash reward for information.

• Ngai Fung Chang, 27, and his girlfriend, Lai Meung Kou, 28. The honeymooners were reported missing in March 1996. Parents and relatives came to Saipan in March or May 1996 after the two failed to return to Hong Kong on their scheduled arrival. The couple was reportedly last dropped by a taxicab in China Town. The parents offered a $20,000 cash reward for information.

• Tian Ming, one of the then-owners of Sea King Restaurant and Joy Motel. He was reported missing on April 30, 1995, in Marpi. Ming’s Toyota Camry was recovered at Banzai Cliff. Bloodstains were noted inside the car.