Nicole Mancebo, 10th grade

On January 20, 2025, China executed Fan Weiqiu, a 62-year-old man who caused a terrible car rampage that killed 35 people and injured 43 others. This tragic event took place on November 11, 2024, outside a sports complex in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. It is known as the deadliest attack in China in over ten years. The fan has been sentenced to death just weeks after the attack.

Fan Weiqiu’s actions were reportedly caused by personal grievances that originated from his divorce. Fueling him to purposely drive his small SUV into a crowd of individuals exercising outside the sports complex in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. Many of the victims were middle-aged adults and children. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with people lying on the ground and belongings scattered everywhere. Initial police reports indicate that Fan was detained at the scene with self-inflicted knife wounds, possibly an attempt to take his own life before falling into a coma.

The court has called Fan’s actions “extremely vile” and “particularly cruel,” stressing how much harm he caused to society. The Zhuhai Intermediate People’s Court also took away his political rights for life during the sentencing.

Fan’s trial attracted a lot of public attention and media coverage because of the shock and anger that was felt across the country. He admitted his guilt in front of the families of the victims and was sentenced to death on December 18, 2024. The Supreme People’s Court approved the execution soon after. In China, executions often happen quickly after sentencing, especially in high-profile cases like this one. This tragic incident has raised discussions about violence in society, especially what authorities call “revenge on society crimes.” These are violent acts committed against random people, often driven by personal problems or frustrations. After Fan’s execution, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged local governments to take steps to prevent such attacks, showing growing concern for public safety.

Another execution took place on the same day as Fan’s for Xu Jiajin, a 21-year-old who killed eight people in a stabbing spree at his vocational school. Xu’s actions were also fueled by personal frustrations related to school and work issues. Both cases have raised alarms about an apparent rise in violent acts against innocent people.

The public reaction to Fan Weiqiu’s execution has been mixed. Some people believe it was necessary to respond to such a terrible crime, while others worry about what state-sanctioned executions mean for society and whether they really stop future violence. The Chinese government has faced criticism for not doing enough to address mental health issues and social pressures that can lead to such violent acts.

After Fan’s attack, many are calling for better community support and mental health resources to help people who might be struggling with personal issues. As China deals with these challenges, it is important for both government officials and communities to work together to create a safer environment. The execution of Fan Weiqiu is a sad reminder of how personal problems can lead to acts of mass violence. As China faces these societal challenges, it is crucial for everyone to focus on preventing such tragedies while ensuring justice for victims and their families.

Sources:

Al Jazeera. (2025, January 20). China executes two men for committing deadly revenge on society crimes. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/20/china-executes-two-men-for-committing-deadly-revenge-on-society-crimes

CBS News. (2025, January 20). China executes 2 killed at least 43 in car rampage, stabbing. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-executes-2-killed-at-least-43-car-rampage-stabbing/

CNN. (2025, January 20). China executes man who drove car into crowd in deadliest attack in a decade. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/20/china/china-zhuhai-car-attack-execution-intl-hnk/index.html

France 24. (2025, January 20). China executes man who drove car into crowd in deadliest attack in a decade. Retrieved from https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20250120-china-executes-man-who-drove-car-into-crowd-in-deadliest-attack-in-a-decade

Yahoo News. (2025, January 20). Chinese man killed 35 in car rampage. Retrieved from https://www.yahoo.com/news/chinese-man-killed-35-car-084557946.html