Editor’s Note: On June 10, four Americans were stabbed in Jilin, China, causing an uproar in the United States. Despite recent efforts by Xi Jinping and the Chinese government to extend olive branches to American local governments and people, anti-American sentiment among the Chinese public has intensified. Under the combined effect of multiple factors such as economic downturn, pandemic restrictions, a still-bleak job market, tightening government policies, and violent law enforcement, China has recently seen a surge in knife attacks and vehicular assaults. Due to immense social pressure, suicides by jumping off buildings and bridges have also increased significantly this year. Given these circumstances, are Americans still welcome in China?
By: Evan Osborne and Jeanette Tong
“On June 10, 2024, four U.S. instructors from a college in Iowa were stabbed and hurt in Jilin, China. According to local police, the suspect bumped into one of the Americans while walking in the park, and proceeded to stab the instructor and three other U.S. instructors, as well as a Chinese passerby who tried to intervene.
Five innocent victims fell wounded, a horrific scene that would send shivers down anyone’s spine.
American media outlets immediately reported this heinous event, broadcasting it widely. In stark contrast, Chinese media maintained a deafening silence. Related videos and discussions on social media were promptly deleted. As usual, this terrifying incident was erased from the meticulously curated lives of Chinese citizens.
The Chinese authorities did respond to press inquiries, claiming the perpetrator was recently unemployed and had a verbal altercation with the victims after a collision, which escalated into violence. The details of the attacker’s unemployment are crucial; the Foreign Ministry cannot dismiss this as a mere “random” public-order case…. [Continue Reading]
Source: https://www.yibao.net/2024/06/20/are-americans-still-welcome-in-china/