In a series of high-profile executions, China has responded decisively to two of its deadliest public attacks in recent memory. Authorities executed Fan Weiqiu, 62, in the southern city of Zhuhai for carrying out a car rampage that killed 35 people at a sports center in November. The attack, which targeted individuals exercising around a track, marked the nation's deadliest episode in a decade. Just days later, a knife attack in the eastern city of Wuxi resulted in the deaths of eight people on a college campus. Xu Jiajin, a 21-year-old recent graduate, was executed for this crime, making it the highest death toll from a rampage since 2014.
The Zhuhai Sports Center tragedy shocked the nation, with Fan's actions reportedly driven by personal grievances including a failed marriage and an unfair divorce settlement. The court described his actions as
"extremely vile, the nature of his crime extremely heinous, the method particularly cruel, and the consequences particularly severe, posing great harm to society."
Fan's execution occurred just over three weeks after his sentencing, reflecting China's swift judicial process in cases deemed to threaten public safety.
Meanwhile, in Wuxi, Xu Jiajin's stabbing spree further unnerved the public. This incident followed closely on the heels of the Zhuhai attack, contributing to a nationwide sense of unease. Chinese officials have increased security measures across the country in an effort to prevent similar incidents, but citizens remain anxious amid a noticeable uptick in violent crime.
Recent months have seen a surge in sudden episodes of violence targeting random members of the public. Analysts speculate that this may be linked to China's stuttering economic growth, which has left many feeling disenfranchised and desperate. Despite the pervasive surveillance across Chinese cities, these violent acts continue to occur, challenging the efficacy of existing security protocols.
China's handling of these cases underscores its reputation as "the world’s top executioner," a title attributed by Amnesty International due to the thousands of executions carried out annually. However, transparency remains an issue as the government does not disclose comprehensive data on executions.
