That's the Chinese negotiation tactic.

Al Qaeda: We have 30 of your citizens.

China: Ok

Al Qaeda: If you don't give us $10M each, we're going to execute one a day

China: OK

Al Qaeda: I mean it!

China: Yeah. Plenty more where they came from

Al Qaeda: $5M?

Al Qaeda: $1M?

Al Qaeda: a dime?

China: keep them.