China Urges Japan to Handle Stabbing Case Calmly
China Urges Japan to Handle Stabbing Case Calmly
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has appealed to his Japanese counterpart for calm and rational handling of the fatal stabbing of a schoolboy in Shenzhen. According to Beijing’s foreign ministry, Wang expressed hope that Tokyo would avoid politicizing or escalating the incident. He emphasized that China would investigate and handle the case in accordance with the law. Wang also assured Japan that China remains committed to safeguarding the safety of all foreign citizens within its borders.
Japan Demands Explanation, Enhanced Security
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has demanded an explanation from China following the tragic stabbing. He has urged Beijing to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens, particularly in light of the incident involving the 10-year-old boy. Japan’s foreign minister, Yoko Kamikawa, met with Wang in New York and strongly demanded that China clarify the motives behind the attack and punish the perpetrator. Kamikawa also requested that China address malicious and unfounded anti-Japanese posts on social media. Japan has allocated funds to bolster security at its schools in China as a precautionary measure.
Timing of Incident Raises Suspicions
The attack occurred on September 18th, the anniversary of the 1931 “Mukden incident,” a significant event in China’s history of national humiliation. This has raised questions about the possible political motivation behind the stabbing. However, Chinese officials have expressed regret and sadness over the incident, characterizing it as isolated and stating that it could occur in any country.
Complex Relations Between China and Japan
Relations between China and Japan have been strained due to territorial disputes and Japan’s growing security ties with the United States and its allies. Nonetheless, Beijing announced last week that it would gradually resume imports of seafood from Japan, which had been banned since 2023 due to concerns over the release of nuclear wastewater from the damaged Fukushima plant.
China Denies Anti-Japanese Sentiment
Amidst Japan’s attempts to link the stabbing to anti-Japanese sentiment in China, Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, has dismissed such claims as “magnifying and hyping up so-called ‘security risks.'” Jian asserted that this rhetoric was inconsistent with the facts.