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    Four American Tutors Stabbed in Rare Attack at Chinese Temple

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    Four American university tutors from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, were hospitalized following a stabbing incident at a temple in Beishan Park, located in China’s Jilin province. The attack occurred on Monday and was part of a rare violent act involving Americans abroad. Here is a detailed recap of the event and its aftermath:

    • Attack Details: The educators were part of a longstanding educational exchange program with Beihua University. They were visiting the temple when a 55-year-old man, identified only by his surname Cui, assaulted them with a knife. Images circulated on social media showed the aftermath, with victims lying blood-soaked on the ground.

    • Immediate Responses: Local Chinese authorities responded by arresting the assailant on the same day, though the motive behind the attack remains unclear. The incident has attracted significant attention, prompting responses from U.S. political figures. Representative Ashley Hinson and Governor Kim Reynolds expressed their horror and assured efforts to ensure the victims’ safe return to the U.S. Representative Adam Zabner revealed that his brother, David, was among those injured, fortunately sustaining only a minor arm wound.
    • Official Statements and Censorship: The Chinese foreign ministry acknowledged the incident, stating it appeared to be random and assuring that all victims received prompt medical attention with no life-threatening injuries reported. Meanwhile, the event has faced significant censorship in Chinese media, with some online remarks comparing it to historical anti-foreigner sentiments like the Boxer Rebellion.

    • Impact on Educational Exchanges: This stabbing comes at a time when educational exchanges between the U.S. and China are trying to recover from setbacks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently proposed inviting 50,000 American students to China over the next five years to bolster ties, although a travel advisory from the U.S. State Department has tempered some enthusiasm for such exchanges.

    • Current Situation: As of the latest updates, the U.S. State Department is aware of the incident, and the U.S. Embassy in Beijing is involved in handling the case. The U.S. Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, noted a dramatic decline in American students in China, from over 11,000 before the pandemic to just 880, highlighting the broader challenges in U.S.-China educational relations.

    Major Points

    • Four American tutors from Cornell College in Iowa were hospitalized after being stabbed at a temple in Jilin, China.
    • The attack occurred during a visit to Beishan Park and involved a 55-year-old assailant, who was promptly arrested.
    • U.S. officials, including Representatives Ashley Hinson and Adam Zabner, responded, expressing horror and ensuring diplomatic efforts for the victims’ safe return.
    • The incident, which appears to be random, has been heavily censored in China, with some local comparisons to historical anti-foreigner movements.
    • The attack highlights the strained educational exchanges between the U.S. and China, further complicated by recent geopolitical tensions and travel advisories.

    TL Holcomb – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News

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