China Executes Man Responsible for Deadliest Attack in a Decade

In a shocking turn of events, China has executed a man named Fan Weiqiu, who was found guilty of committing a heinous car attack that resulted in the deaths of at least 35 people. This incident, which took place in November outside a stadium in the southern city of Zhuhai, is considered to be the deadliest attack in the country in the past ten years.

Fan Weiqiu, a 62-year-old man, not only claimed the lives of dozens of innocent individuals but also injured many more when he callously drove his car into a group of people who were exercising near the stadium. The motive behind Fan’s brutal actions was later revealed to be his dissatisfaction over the division of his property following a divorce.

But the tragedy did not end there. Just days after Fan’s horrific attack, another man named Xu Jiajin, 21, carried out a separate act of violence in the eastern city of Wuxi. Xu went on a stabbing spree at his university, resulting in the deaths of eight people. His actions were reportedly fueled by his failure to obtain his diploma due to poor exam results.

The swift and decisive actions of the Chinese authorities led to the apprehension and subsequent sentencing of both Fan and Xu. Fan was detained at the scene of the crime on November 11, where he was found with self-inflicted wounds. In December, he was convicted of “endangering public safety” and sentenced to death by the Zhuhai Intermediate People’s Court.

Similarly, Xu confessed to his crime without hesitation on November 16 and was also sentenced to death on December 17. The court described the circumstances of his crime as “particularly bad” and “extremely serious.”

This recent wave of public violence in China has raised concerns about the underlying issues that may be contributing to such acts of brutality. The country has seen a spate of attacks where individuals target strangers as a way to seek revenge on society for their personal grievances. In 2024 alone, there were 19 such attacks reported across China.

One such incident occurred shortly after the Zhuhai and Wuxi attacks, when a man named Huang Wen drove into a crowd of children and parents outside a primary school in Changde city, injuring 30 people. Huang’s actions were attributed to his anger over investment losses and family conflict.

In light of these disturbing events, analysts have pointed to the mounting tensions within Chinese society, which may be exacerbated by factors such as the sluggish economy. George Magnus, an economist at Oxford University’s China Centre, expressed concerns about the escalating pressures and stressed that there seems to be no respite in sight for the foreseeable future.

As China grapples with the aftermath of these tragic incidents, it is crucial for authorities to address the root causes of such violence and implement measures to prevent future atrocities. The execution of Fan Weiqiu and Xu Jiajin serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked anger and resentment in society.

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