A 10-year-old student from the Shenzhen Japanese School in southern China died on Thursday, one day after being stabbed. The boy’s assailant, a 44-year-old man named Zhong, was arrested immediately following the attack, according to local police.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa condemned the attack as “despicable” and demanded an explanation from Beijing. “This should never happen in any country,” he stated. The victim’s nationality has not been officially confirmed, but the Shenzhen Japanese School caters to “Japanese children who have Japanese nationality.”
The motive behind the stabbing remains unclear. However, some observers worry that rising nationalist sentiment in China may be contributing to violence against foreigners. This incident follows another attack in June in Suzhou, where a man targeted a Japanese mother and child, resulting in the death of a Chinese national who intervened.
Beijing has described these events as “isolated incidents,” while the Japanese embassy in Beijing has urged the Chinese government to prevent such occurrences. Earlier this year, four American teachers were also stabbed in Jilin, highlighting ongoing safety concerns for foreigners in China.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that the Shenzhen stabbing is under investigation and assured that China will continue to implement measures to ensure the safety of foreigners. The attack’s timing on the anniversary of the Mukden Incident, a historical grievance between Japan and China, has sparked additional tensions.
The stabbing has prompted heightened security measures at Japanese schools in China, with institutions such as the Guangzhou Japanese School canceling some activities and advising parents to be vigilant. The Japanese government had previously sought approximately $2.5 million to enhance security for school buses in China.
