Wave of Retaliatory Violence Sweeps China: Random Attacks Reported in Beijing and Guangzhou on Same Day

Injuries reported in multiple locations across China (Online Screenshot)

[People News] China has recently seen a surge in suspected retaliatory violence against society, with two separate random attacks reported in Beijing and Guangzhou on May 15. Authorities have downplayed the incidents, with some media reports even being taken offline.

According to China News Weekly on May 15, an incident involving a car ramming into pedestrians occurred near an elementary school in Beijing’s Haidian District, sparking widespread concern. The local education bureau confirmed the incident occurred near a school.

Social media users shared videos and claimed the school involved was the prestigious Qianjin Primary School in Haidian District.

An X (formerly Twitter) account, "Teacher Li Is Not Your Teacher," cited local sources saying, “A black Tesla deliberately rammed into a crowd during school dismissal at Qianjin Primary School on Huayuan Road in Haidian District! It hit more than a dozen people!” One chatroom user said, “When I arrived, I saw four elderly people lying on the ground.” Another added, “The driver fled after hitting the people.”

Chinese authorities appeared to deliberately downplay the event. A NetEase article titled "Official Response to Vehicle Accident Near Beijing School: Driver Already in Custody" was taken down. Other media uniformly echoed the Beijing traffic police statement, which read: On the afternoon of May 15, around 3 p.m., a minor vehicle-pedestrian collision occurred on Jian'an West Road in Haidian District, injuring four people. The injured were taken to the hospital, and the driver was apprehended. The official statement did not clarify whether the act was a random, intentional ramming.

Stabbing Incident at Guangzhou South Railway Station

Coincidentally, on the same day, a stabbing occurred at Guangzhou South Railway Station. According to the Guangzhou Railway Public Security Department, around 2 p.m. on May 15, a 35-year-old suspect surnamed Li attacked a person with a fruit knife in the northwest section of the station’s first floor, outside the security checkpoint. Police responded promptly and subdued the attacker on the spot. One person was injured and was rushed to the hospital. The victim's life is not in danger.

A NetEase account named “Shan Shan’s Perspective” reported more details, describing how the man suddenly pulled out a fruit knife without warning and slashed at a nearby traveller. Screams quickly erupted.

Witnesses described scenes of panic: some shouted for help, others frantically dialled emergency services (110). Parents clutched their children tightly while seeking cover, and crowds waiting in line dispersed in chaos, leaving luggage scattered. The scene was described as extremely chaotic. 

(Source: Radio Free Asia)