In June 2024, a knife attack occurred at a bus stop near the Japanese School of Suzhou in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. The assailant, identified as 52-year-old Zhou Jiasheng, attacked a Japanese mother and her child. A Chinese bus attendant, Hu Youping, intervened to protect them and was fatally stabbed. The mother and child sustained injuries but survived.
Judicial Proceedings and Sentencing
The Suzhou Intermediate People’s Court found Zhou guilty of intentional homicide. The court noted that Zhou was heavily indebted and had lost the will to live, leading him to commit the attack. Given the severity and societal impact of the crime, the court deemed the death penalty appropriate.
Reactions from Japanese Authorities
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, condemned the attack, stating, “We believe the crime that killed and injured innocent people, including a child, was absolutely unforgivable, and we take the ruling seriously.” Officials from the Japanese Consulate in Shanghai attended the sentencing.
Context of Rising Concerns
This incident was one of two attacks on Japanese nationals in China in 2024. In September, a 10-year-old Japanese student was fatally stabbed near his school in Shenzhen. These events have heightened concerns about anti-Japanese sentiment in China. The Japanese government has urged Chinese authorities to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens residing in the country.
The sentencing of Zhou Jiasheng underscores the Chinese judiciary’s stance on violent crimes, especially those affecting foreign nationals. Both Chinese and Japanese authorities continue to monitor and address the safety concerns of expatriates in China.
