Surge in 'Revenge on Society Crimes' Leads to Executions in China

Monday 20 January 2025 - 16:34

China has executed two men for committing deadly "revenge on society crimes" that resulted in numerous deaths in November, raising concerns over an increase in such attacks.

Fan Weiqu, 62, was executed for ramming his car into a crowd outside a sports stadium in Zhuhai, southern China, killing at least 35 people. Authorities confirmed that this was the deadliest attack in the country in over a decade. Fan's actions were reportedly motivated by anger over his divorce settlement.

In a separate incident, 21-year-old Xu Jiajin stabbed eight people and injured 17 at his vocational school in Wuxi, eastern China. Police indicated that Xu, dissatisfied with his academic performance and internship pay, carried out the attack. Xu was also executed.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for measures to prevent such attacks, often referred to as "revenge on society crimes." The death sentences for both men were issued by courts in Zhuhai and Wuxi in December and were later approved by the Supreme People’s Court.

While violent crimes are less common in China compared to Western countries, recent years have seen a rise, especially in the form of stabbings and car attacks. These incidents have challenged the Communist Party’s reputation for maintaining strict public security and have sparked public debates on issues such as the slowing economy, high unemployment, and reduced social mobility.

China's death penalty statistics remain classified, but human rights organizations suggest that thousands may be executed each year. Executions are typically carried out by gunshot, although lethal injections have been introduced more recently.