CHINA: Authorities vow to severely punish child attackers

Record ID: 353203

  • Title: CHINA: Authorities vow to severely punish child attackers
  • Date: 15th May 2010
  • Summary: TAIXING, JIANGSU PROVINCE, CHINA (FILE - 2010) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF TAIXING PEOPLE'S HOSPITAL PARENTS SITTING BY BED OF INJURED YOUNG GIRL FATHER TALKING TO DAUGHTER GIRL'S FACE MOTHER SPEAKING TO GIRL GIRL'S HANDS IV DRIP YOUNG GIRL SITTING ON BED BANDAGES AROUND YOUNG GIRL'S HANDS YOUNG GIRL'S FACE
  • Embargoed: 30th May 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Reuters ID: LVA9D5KT29K0M86Y2HVCAWID2SFZ
  • Story Text: China on Friday (May 14) vowed to "severely" punish attackers that target school children and look into the root cause of social conflicts after a series of assaults on schools had angered the Chinese public and stoked criticism of the government.
    "I think this kind of crime should be condemned by the whole of society and deserves the outrage of all Chinese people. The public security bureaus and judicial authorities will severely punish this kind of crime according to law," China's Ministry of Public Security spokesman Wu Heping told a group of reporters in Beijing.
    In the latest case, a man in rural northwest China hacked to death seven young children and two adults on Wednesday (May 12) after an argument over a kindergarten lease.
    The attack was the sixth attack on school children by angry and apparently deranged men since March and prompted official vows to "strike hard" against the problem.
    Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was quoted on Thursday (May 13) by a Hong Kong television as saying a spate of school killings in China has "deep-seated" roots in the country's social tensions which need addressing.
    The premier's remarks were the most direct yet from a senior leader on the deadly assaults that has stoked worry about the social malaise that some see underneath China's rapid economic growth and anger among ordinary citizens, especially parents.
    "The whole of society is changing and developing rapidly. During this process, innovation in the management of society is not only essential but urgent. I have noticed the central government's demand for the public security bureaus, under the leadership of all levels of local government, to properly handle the various conflicts in society," said Wu.
    There have been several attacks on schools and universities in recent years. In the five previous school attacks since March, 18 people were murdered -- all but three of them children -- and more than 80 were injured.
    China bans nearly all citizens from owning handguns, and the attackers used knives, cleavers and, in one case, a hammer.
    Triggers for the attacks have included pent-up grievances over lost jobs, business failures, broken relationships, and a new home that officials had ordered torn down.
    Chinese authorities have ordered school security to be tightened nationwide and police were seen patrolling in and around schools at the beginning and end of the school day.
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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