China Executes Man Responsible for Deadliest Attack in a Decade

On January 20, a 62-year-old man named Fan Weiqu, who drove his vehicle into a crowd at a sports center in Zhuhai last November, killing 35 people, was executed in China. This incident is considered the deadliest attack in China in the past decade, reports NewsBox.

Fan was sentenced to death just three weeks after the incident, highlighting the authorities' determination to combat violence. His actions were attributed to personal issues, including a troubled marriage and subsequent divorce, which left him deeply agitated. While driving a SUV, he targeted people exercising on a track. When the police attempted to apprehend him, Fan tried to take his own life but was transported to a hospital where he was later arrested, according to CNN.

This attack is part of a larger trend in China, where random attacks on civilians, including children, have become more frequent in recent months. The nation's economic slowdown has also stirred unease among citizens accustomed to low levels of violent crime and strong state control.

Chinese authorities have tightened security measures and emphasized the need for swift and severe punishment to prevent future incidents. On January 20, another execution took place — that of Xu Jiajin, a 21-year-old who attacked college students with a knife in Wuxi last November, resulting in eight deaths. His motivation stemmed from frustration with life after failing exams and dissatisfaction with an internship.

Despite the uptick in violent incidents, China remains one of the countries with the lowest violent crime rates worldwide, bolstered by strict gun control and a mass surveillance system. Public opinion in the country generally supports harsh measures. News of these executions reverberated through Chinese social media, with many users expressing approval of the authorities' actions.

Interestingly, China is a global leader in the number of executions, yet it does not publish exact figures on death sentences.