China Mourns Deadly Car Attack in Zhuhai as Rising Public Violence Sparks Deep Social Concerns”
China Mourns Deadly Car Attack in Zhuhai: A tragic car attack that killed 35 people in Zhuhai, China, has prompted public mourning and raised serious questions about a recent surge in violent incidents across the country. Authorities reported that the driver, a 62-year-old man, drove into crowds at a stadium in response to frustrations over a divorce settlement. This tragic act, marking one of the deadliest attacks in recent memory, is part of an alarming trend of public violence, with several high-profile attacks in recent months.
Amid expressions of grief and outrage, Chinese social media users have voiced growing concern about a phenomenon termed “taking revenge on society.” This trend, fueled by personal grievances, often sees individuals lashing out at strangers in public spaces. One viral Weibo post questioned, “How can you take revenge on society because your family life is not going well? You’ve taken the lives of so many innocent people.” Others on WeChat highlighted the impact of pressures like job insecurity and the struggle for survival on individuals’ mental states, with one user stating, “Society is bound to be full of problems, hostility, and terror.”
This violent act in Zhuhai has echoes in recent cases across China, including a stabbing spree in a Shanghai supermarket, a school knife attack in Beijing, and a mass stabbing incident in Shandong. The Zhuhai incident has prompted people to leave flowers and light candles outside the sports center where the tragedy unfolded. Yet, according to reports, much of the online discussion surrounding the attack has been censored. Chinese authorities have restricted news coverage, prioritizing official statements from police and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has called for “severe punishment” for the perpetrator.
Among those affected by the tragedy, personal stories of loss and pain have circulated widely on social media. In one moving account, a person described how their mother lost a close friend during her evening workout, writing, “My mother is finding it hard to accept the loss of such a close friend. The more I witness her grief, the more I resent the cold-bloodedness of the murderer.” Another individual shared the distress of their father, who saw his wife injured and now waits in anguish as she remains in intensive care.
While officials have largely limited public discourse on this sensitive issue, calls for deeper examination of societal pressures are emerging amid widespread public outcry.
