China has executed two men responsible for deadly attacks that took place within a week of each other in November last year.
Fan Weiqiu, 62, was convicted after driving his car into a crowd of people exercising outside a stadium in Zhuhai, killing at least 35 people and injuring many more. This incident is considered the deadliest attack on Chinese soil in a decade. Authorities later stated that Fan’s motive stemmed from “dissatisfaction” over the division of property following his divorce.
Just days after the Zhuhai attack, Xu Jiajin, 21, carried out a stabbing spree at his university in Wuxi, killing eight people and injuring 17 others. Xu’s motive was linked to his failure to obtain a diploma due to poor exam results.
Fan was detained at the scene on November 11, where he had self-inflicted wounds. In December, he was found guilty of “endangering public safety,” with the court noting his actions were “extremely vile” and “particularly cruel.” His execution took place on Monday, less than a month after he was sentenced to death.
In Xu’s case, he confessed to his crime on November 16, and was sentenced to death on December 17. The court characterized his actions as “particularly bad” and “extremely serious.”
China has seen an alarming rise in public violence, with many attackers reportedly motivated by personal grievances and a desire to “take revenge on society.” Such attacks have increased in number, with 19 recorded across China in 2024.
Soon after the Zhuhai and Wuxi incidents, another attack took place in Changde city, where a man drove into a crowd outside a primary school, injuring 30 people. The assailant, Huang Wen, later revealed that his motive stemmed from investment losses and family conflicts. Huang was sentenced to a suspended death sentence, which could be commuted to life imprisonment if he commits no further crimes within two years.
Experts suggest that a combination of growing personal stress, including the country’s sluggish economy, and the suppression of outlets for expressing frustration could be contributing to the increase in violent acts. These circumstances, some argue, are exacerbating societal tensions in China, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to cope with their emotions and frustrations.