American instructors stabbed in China: here's what you need to know

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 2 minutes read

Top line

A 55-year-old suspect was arrested Tuesday for stabbing four American instructors, who were attacked in a public park while on a teaching trip to China, according to Chinese officials, who said the incident would have no impact on relations with the United States.

Chinese authorities said the instructors were immediately hospitalized, although none were present. … [+] life-threatening condition.

Getty Images

Highlights

The four instructors, who were from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, were allegedly attacked Monday by Cui Dapang as they walked through Beishan Park in Jilin City, China, according to local reports translated by Time Magazine.

Cui “hit a foreigner” while walking in the park before attacking the four instructors and a Chinese tourist with a knife, Jilin city police reportedly said, adding that none of the victims were in a potentially fatal condition.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, told reporters Tuesday that Jilin city police had determined the attack was an “isolated incident,” according to CNN.

Iowa State Rep. Adam Zabner wrote on social media that his brother David was among the victims, saying David was “injured in the arm” in the attack, even though he ” was recovering from his injuries and was doing well.

Cornell College President Jonathan Brand told Forbes in a statement that the college is in contact with instructors and “helping them during this time.”

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) said she was “in touch” with the state's federal delegation and the State Department about the “horrific attack,” while Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa said she was in contact with Cornell College and would do “everything in our power to get these Iowans home safely.”

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To monitor

The State Department said the agency was “aware of reports of a stabbing incident in Jilin” and would monitor the situation.

Crucial quote

Lin said the incident would likely not affect China's relations with the United States: “Carrying out people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and the United States is in the common interests of both sides,” adding that China has “taken effective measures” to protect “the safety of all foreigners in China.”

What we don't know

The other victims have not been publicly identified. They were instructors who were traveling to the city of Jilin as part of Cornell College's partnership with Beihua University, which pays Cornell professors to teach classes at the Chinese university for two weeks. Courses in the program cover computer science, mathematics and physics, according to Cornell College.

Key context

China has been welcoming more and more American educators to its country in recent years. In November, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China would invite 50,000 Americans to China for exchange and study programs over the next five years, according to China's Xinhua news agency. Xi said educational exchanges would help build ties with the United States, including training “young ambassadors” who understand both countries.

Top line

Highlights

To monitor

Crucial quote

What we don't know

Key context

Further reading

Lina Portman

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