Suspect arrested for stabbing four Americans in China

Map showing the city of Jilin, in northeast China's Jilin province, where four American university professors were injured in a stabbing incident on Monday – Copyright AFP

Chinese police announced Tuesday that they had arrested a suspect for stabbing four American university professors in a public park in the northeast of the country.

Beijing called Monday's attack an “isolated” incident, while the White House said it was “deeply concerned” about the stabbings.

All four victims were on a college exchange and working as instructors at Cornell College in Iowa, which said they were injured in a “serious incident.”

Police said they arrested a 55-year-old man after the attack in a public park in Jilin province.

Chinese state media Xinhua reported that a Chinese national was also injured while “trying to stop the attack.”

“The suspect, named Mr. Cui, was arrested on the same day (as the attack),” local police said.

Beijing confirmed earlier Tuesday that “four foreign teachers” had been attacked.

“All the injured were transported to hospital…and received appropriate treatment.” None of them are at risk of losing their lives,” spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters at the Foreign Ministry’s regular afternoon news conference.

“The police previously judged that the case was isolated. Further investigation is underway,” Lin said.

“China… will continue to take appropriate measures to effectively protect the safety of all foreigners in China,” he said, adding that the country is considered one of the safest in the world.

“This isolated case will not affect the normal development of Sino-American people-to-people exchanges.”

The White House said it was “deeply concerned about these stabbing attacks” and has been in contact with Chinese authorities to “ensure the victims' needs are met and appropriate law enforcement action is taken.” “.

He adds that American diplomats spoke to the victims of the attack.

Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson said on social media platform X that she was “horrified” that Cornell College faculty members were “brutally stabbed.”

The state's governor, Kim Reynolds, said she was “in contact with the Iowa federal delegation and the Department of State in response to this horrific attack.”

“Please pray for their full recovery, safe return and for their families here at home,” Reynolds added.

Iowa state Rep. Adam Zabner told CNN that his brother David Zabner was among the victims and that he had “been stitched up and appears to be recovering.”