American college instructor David Zabner and three colleagues from Cornell College were attacked in Jilin, China. Zabner described hearing a scream and realizing he had been stabbed by a man brandishing a knife. The attacker was identified as 55-year-old Cui, who had reportedly been unemployed and down on his luck. The police reported that a Chinese national had also been stabbed while trying to stop Cui. None of the victims had life-threatening injuries, with Zabner being stabbed in the arm six inches below his shoulder.
U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns confirmed that three U.S. citizens and a non-citizen resident of Iowa were injured in the attack. A consular official had visited all four victims at the hospital in Jilin. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks provided updates on the victims’ conditions, stating that Zabner was doing well and likely able to travel back to the U.S., while the other two Americans were in critical condition after surgery. The instructors were participating in a joint program with Beihua University established in 2018.
The attack occurred in Beishan Park, a scenic area in Jilin that Zabner and his colleagues had visited on a public holiday in China. Zabner had previously taught computer science courses at Beihua University in November 2019 and was excited to visit Jilin during the summer. Despite the typically cold winters in Jilin, the instructors enjoyed the park’s views and historical temples. This incident of violent crime against foreigners is rare in China, a country known for having strict gun control laws.
Chinese state media initially remained silent on the attack, and discussion of the incident was controlled on social media platforms. The Chinese Foreign Ministry assured that the attack appeared to be an isolated case and was under investigation. Concerns were raised about how the incident would impact China’s reputation, with some online commenters expressing disappointment that the country’s image of safety had been compromised. However, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the incident would not disrupt normal U.S.-China cultural exchanges.
The U.S. and China have been working to improve relations, including people-to-people exchanges, and the stabbing incident comes at a delicate time in diplomatic efforts. Zabner and his colleagues’ participation in the joint program with Beihua University reflects the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in educational and cultural endeavors. Despite the unfortunate attack, both China and the U.S. remain committed to continuing such exchanges. Zabner’s recovery and the resolution of the investigation into the attack are important factors in the aftermath of this unsettling incident.
