China has executed two mass murderers in a rare publicized move to address the rising wave of random, violent attacks across the country. Among those executed were a man who killed 35 people in a car-ramming attack and another who fatally stabbed eight people at a university.
Fan Weiqiu, 62, was executed just three weeks after being sentenced to death for driving his car into a crowd of people exercising at a sports center in Zhuhai on November 11, 2024. The attack, which claimed 35 lives, marked the deadliest act of public violence in China in a decade.
The second execution involved 21-year-old Xu Jiajin, who launched a knife attack at his former university, Wuxi Vocational College of Arts and Technology, killing eight people and wounding 17 others.
Both cases reflect a troubling trend in China, where a spate of violent attacks in 2024 has been linked to perpetrators’ frustrations and a desire to “take revenge on society.” Fan, the Zhuhai attacker, reportedly carried out his rampage after a bitter divorce settlement that left him enraged. Police said he intentionally drove his off-road vehicle into a crowd of around 80 people on a running track, killing and injuring dozens.
Footage shared on Chinese social media captured the aftermath of Fan’s attack, with bodies lying in pools of blood and personal belongings scattered across the ground. Fan, who attempted to stab himself before being subdued by police, was treated in the hospital to stand trial.
In the case of Xu, authorities revealed that he was motivated by anger after failing to graduate due to poor academic performance. Days after confessing to the crime, Xu was sentenced to death and executed within a month.
China, which Amnesty International identifies as the world’s top executor, keeps details of executions tightly guarded as state secrets. However, news of these executions was prominently broadcast by state media, signaling a government effort to deter further violence.
The Chinese government is grappling with a disturbing rise in public attacks. In 2024 alone, 19 incidents were reported where perpetrators sought “revenge on society.” The surge in violence is believed to stem from growing dissatisfaction over economic stagnation, high unemployment, and limited social mobility.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping branded the attacks as “extremely vicious” and called for swift and severe punishment.
On Chinese social media platform Weibo, news of the executions sparked widespread approval. Many users expressed satisfaction with the swift justice, with one commenting, “How very satisfying.”
However, the alarming frequency of such attacks continues to haunt Chinese society. Days after Xu’s university attack, a man drove an SUV into a group of children outside a primary school in Changde. Although no fatalities were reported, footage of injured children being dragged from the scene caused nationwide outrage.
Experts warn that these violent outbursts, often carried out by isolated individuals, reflect deeper societal struggles. Analysts cite economic pressures and rising inequality as factors fueling discontent.
China’s use of the death penalty far exceeds that of any other country, with thousands reportedly executed annually. Despite international criticism, Beijing defends its approach as necessary to maintain public safety and order.
The recent executions underscore the government’s resolve to curb violence. However, the challenges of addressing the root causes of public discontent remain significant as China faces growing socioeconomic pressures.
