A tragic incident occurred in southern China involving a 10-year-old Japanese student who was stabbed near his school, ultimately resulting in his death. The attacker, a 44-year-old man named Zhong, was arrested at the scene. The attack took place in Shenzhen, China, near the Shenzhen Japanese School, just 220 yards from the school’s gate. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, however, it has sparked concerns regarding safety measures for Japanese citizens in China.
The attack comes amidst the anniversary of Japan’s 1931 invasion of Manchuria, an event marked by China on September 18th. This historical event, known as the Mukden Incident, is considered the beginning of the Japanese invasion of northeast China. Despite requests from Tokyo for increased security in light of this anniversary, the tragic attack on the young Japanese student still occurred. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa expressed condolences, stating that such an attack should never happen in any country. The Japanese government has urged Chinese authorities to provide details of the stabbing and take preventive measures to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens in China.
Following the incident, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Lin Jian, expressed condolences over the boy’s death and confirmed that the boy was a Japanese citizen with parents from both Japan and China. Lin also stated that China would provide any necessary assistance and take measures to protect the safety of all foreigners in the country, including Japanese nationals. Despite the tragic incident, Chinese officials emphasized that incidents such as these should not affect the overall relationship and cooperation between China and Japan.
In response to the attack, the Japanese government has advised Japanese schools in China to review and enhance their safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. This recommendation comes after a June incident involving a knife attack at a bus stop for a Japanese school in Suzhou, which resulted in the death of a Chinese national and injuries to others. Officials from both countries have been in communication to address these concerns and ensure the safety of Japanese citizens residing in China.
Chinese media did not report on the Japanese boy’s death, however, individuals took to social media platforms to express their condolences and condemnation for the attack. The Japanese Embassy issued a warning to Japanese citizens living in China to be vigilant and take precautions due to recent knife attacks in the region. The Consulate in Guangzhou also called for increased measures to prevent such incidents in the future. It is crucial for both countries to work together to investigate the motive behind these attacks and ensure the safety of all individuals living or visiting China.
