Recent incidents of violence in China have ignited discussions about the disturbing phenomenon known as “taking revenge on society“, where individuals lash out at random strangers as a response to personal frustrations.
On a Saturday, a horrific knife attack at a vocational school in eastern China resulted in the deaths of eight people and injuries to 17 others. Police reports identified the perpetrator as a 21-year-old former student, expected to graduate but who had failed his exams.
Prior to this tragedy, on November 12th, southern China witnessed a devastating car attack where at least 35 lives were lost. In this shocking event, a man deliberately drove a car into groups of people who were exercising on a sports track, highlighting the deadly potential of a vehicle when intentionally used as a weapon.
Adding to the grim series of events, a stabbing at a Shanghai supermarket in October led to the deaths of three and injuries to 15 others.
Police records indicate a worrying trend, with 19 instances of indiscriminate violence in China this year alone, where victims were targeted by unknown assailants. These attacks have resulted in 63 fatalities and 166 injuries, a significant surge compared to previous years. In 2023, for instance, there were 16 deaths and 40 injuries.
While these incidents remain isolated, their high visibility and the rapid spread of videos on social media are causing widespread apprehension and fear among the population.
Lynette Ong, a distinguished professor of Chinese politics at the University of Toronto in Canada, suggests these attacks are “symptoms of a society with a lot of pent-up grievances.” Speaking to AFP, she elaborated, “Some people resort to giving up. Others, if they’re angry, want to take revenge.”
Factors such as a slowing economy, high youth unemployment, and a property crisis impacting personal savings are contributing to growing uncertainty and anxiety among Chinese citizens.
Professor Ong connects these societal pressures to the violence, stating that these attacks are the “negative side of the same coin.”
In response to the escalating concerns, President Xi Jinping has instructed local officials to prioritize community safety and “social stability,” demanding stringent measures to “strictly prevent extreme cases.”
Government officials are keen to demonstrate swift action, worried that the high casualty count this year might damage China’s reputation for safety, further unsettling citizens and potentially deterring tourism.
The Communist Party has significantly expanded surveillance in recent years. Following the recent car attack in Zhuhai, directives have been issued to deploy local officials and community workers to proactively prevent further unrest.
