Police arrests Chinese teen who sneaked into the cargo of an Emirates A380 passenger flight to Dubai

A Chinese boy has been arrested for stowing away on a plane from Shanghai to Dubai, where he reportedly planned to make a fortune begging for money.

Chinese state media reported the 16-year-old from Bazhong City in China's Sichuan province climbed a fence at Shanghai's Pudong Airport on May 26 and sneaked into the cargo hold of an Emirates A380 passenger plane. He hid there for the entire 9.5-hour flight.

The boy, identified only by his family name, Xu, was discovered and arrested by police in Dubai upon arrival.

"Emirates can confirm that on 27 May, a stowaway was found in the cargo hold of flight EK303 from Shanghai to Dubai," said a statement released by Emirates.

"We are co-operating fully with authorities in Dubai and as this is a police matter we are unable to comment further at this time."

Xu was reportedly aware that he was breaking the law but thought his status as a minor would protect him from arrest.

Regardless, he reportedly told authorities he was under the impression Dubai's jails were comfortable, making the trip worth the risk.