Death Sentences Spark Concern for Foreign Nationals in China
The recent sentencing of a Chinese man to death for the fatal stabbing of a 10-year-old Japanese schoolboy has raised alarm among Japanese expatriates in China. This tragic incident occurred in Shenzhen in September and has drawn significant media attention. The court’s decision, announced on Friday, reflects growing concerns about the safety of foreign nationals in the country. This case is part of a broader pattern of violence against foreigners, prompting companies and officials to take precautionary measures.
Rising Violence Against Foreign Nationals
The stabbing in Shenzhen is not an isolated incident. It is part of a troubling trend of violence against foreigners in China. Just days before the Shenzhen attack, another incident occurred in Suzhou, where a Chinese man attacked a Japanese mother and child. In this case, a Chinese woman was killed while trying to protect them. These attacks have raised fears among expatriates and prompted companies to advise their employees to take extra precautions.
Japanese companies operating in China, such as Toshiba and Toyota, have responded by urging their staff to remain vigilant. Panasonic even offered free flights home to its employees. The increase in violence has led to heightened anxiety among the Japanese community in China, as they worry about their safety in a country where they have lived and worked for years.
Court Rulings and Their Implications
The recent court rulings in these cases highlight the serious nature of the crimes committed. In the Suzhou case, the court described the attack as “intentional murder,” emphasizing the significant social impact it had. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi condemned the violence, stating that the crime was “absolutely unforgivable.” He also paid tribute to Hu Youping, the Chinese bus attendant who lost his life while trying to protect the victims.
Despite the gravity of these incidents, the court did not mention Japan during the ruling. This omission has raised questions about the broader implications of these attacks on diplomatic relations between China and Japan. The Japanese consulate in Shanghai attended the sentencing, indicating the importance of the case to Japan’s government.
Government Response to Public Violence
Chinese authorities have been grappling with a rise in public violence, which has become a pressing issue in recent years. Many of the attackers appear to be motivated by personal grievances, leading them to lash out at strangers. In 2022 alone, there were 19 attacks on pedestrians or strangers, a significant increase from previous years.
The Chinese government has responded to this uptick in violence with a series of high-profile executions. Recently, a man who killed at least 35 people in a car attack was executed, marking one of the deadliest attacks in a decade. Additionally, a man who carried out a stabbing spree at a university was sentenced to death last month. These actions reflect the government’s commitment to addressing public safety concerns, but they also raise questions about the underlying issues that lead to such violence.
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