The Chinese teen was found hiding in the cargo hold of the passenger plane once it landed, where he was handed over to Dubai police.

China’s official Xinhua news agency has named the 16-year-old boy as Xu. He reportedly stated that he was “very comfortable” in the hold, although he had not eaten anything during the nine-hour flight.

Gulf News said the cargo hold was pressurised. The boy is reported to have said that even beggars in Dubai were able to make a lot of money.

A translator appointed by prosecutors said the boy claimed to have jumped over a fence at Shanghai airport and climbed into the cargo hold while a security guard looked away, the BBC said.

"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," Emirates said in an emailed statement.

Xinhua said consulate staff had been sent to the airport to learn more about the situation.