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China Executes Man for Fatal Stabbing of Japanese Boy, Embassy Confirms
SHENZHEN, China – Chinese authorities have executed a man convicted of fatally stabbing a 10-year-old Japanese boy last September, as confirmed by the Japanese embassy in China. The execution follows a case that heightened diplomatic sensitivity between the two nations and raised concerns about the safety of Japanese nationals in China.
Details of the Crime and Legal Proceedings
Zhong Changchun received a death sentence in January for the violent assault on the young victim. The boy was attacked while walking to a Japanese school in Shenzhen, a major city in southeastern China. The brutal incident reverberated across both Japan and China, sparking outrage and intensifying diplomatic unease. There were widespread speculations that the attack was motivated by anti-Japanese sentiment.
Japanese Government’s Reaction
In a statement released to the BBC, the Japanese embassy conveyed the government’s stance. “The Government of Japan views the murder of an entirely innocent child as an unpardonable act. We receive the news of this execution with the utmost gravity,” the statement declared.
The embassy further emphasized Japan’s commitment to the security of its citizens in China. “Following this tragic event, the Japanese government will continue to implement all possible safety precautions and strongly urge the Chinese government to guarantee the safety of Japanese citizens residing in China,” the statement continued.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs was formally informed of the execution by their Chinese counterparts, according to the embassy.
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Heightened Security Concerns and Corporate Responses
The stabbing incident amplified anxieties among the Japanese expatriate community in China. In response to these concerns, several Japanese corporations, including Toyota, advised their employees to adopt enhanced precautionary measures. Some companies, such as Panasonic, even offered their staff complimentary flights back to Japan, highlighting the seriousness of the perceived threat.
Context and Nationalist Sentiments
While the official verdict in Zhong’s case did not explicitly mention the victim’s nationality, Ambassador Kenji Kanasugi, Japan’s envoy to China, indicated that Zhong had requested to communicate with the victim’s family. It remained unclear whether the attack specifically targeted Japanese individuals.
Furthermore, the incident has drawn attention to the surge of unchecked nationalism on Chinese social media platforms, contributing to a climate of anti-foreigner feelings in recent years. Online discussions noted the timing of the attack, which occurred on September 18th, a politically charged date marking the anniversary of the Mukden Incident that preceded Japan’s occupation of Manchuria in the 1930s.
Series of Attacks on Foreign Nationals
The fatal stabbing occurred amidst a series of concerning attacks targeting foreign nationals in China, including a separate stabbing incident involving four American educators in Jilin province.
Previous Incident and Execution
Last June, another violent episode in Suzhou involved an assault on a Japanese mother and child at a bus stop. In that instance, a Chinese woman who intervened to protect the victims was tragically killed. Japanese officials confirmed last week that the perpetrator in the Suzhou attack has also been executed.