Alarm bells ring over China school attacks
The attack in the eastern province of Shandong happened despite a government vow to beef up security for schools and kindergartens across the country.
Police in the city of Zibo have detained 26-year-old Fang Jiantang, who reportedly confessed to the killings of three children and one teacher on Tuesday. Many others were injured, two seriously.
The state news agency, Xinhua, only released a brief English version of the story. Almost all online reports of the latest tragedy have now been deleted, perhaps for fear of more copycat attacks.
A spate of similar attacks from March to May had shocked the country. In April, a farmer in Shandong province injured five pre-school children and a teacher before burning himself to death.
The top leaders spoke of social tension as part of the cause and asked officials to do more to provide for school security.
The Ministry for Public Security and the Education Ministry scrambled for emergency measures to tackle the violent attacks.
More police officers have been assigned to patrol around school areas. Schools and kindergartens are supposed to have reviewed their security arrangements.
Some local police authorities have distributed instruments like steel pitchforks and pepper spray to security guards in schools.
But with schools on summer holiday, people have lowered their guard. And in some places, no adequate funds have been provided to implement the security measures.
The wave of violence has been portrayed as cases of "social revenge" in China.
Ji Jianlin, a professor of clinical psychology at Shanghai’s Fudan University, says the incidents share some common features.
"The attackers all have grudges against society. They all try to take revenge by attacking the young and vulnerable," he says.
In part, the attacks reflect the social tension caused by rampant corruption and inequality. Some point to the lack of normal channels for ordinary people to air their grievances or to defend what little personal interests they may have.
But Prof Ji argues that there is a lack of social and psychological support in the rapidly changing society.
"In the past, China’s workers used to have social support from the unions or women’s associations. They used to provide quite adequate support. It’s now quite weak."
This is especially true in smaller cities and towns. In a country where people used to be looked after from cradle to grave, the social change has not only left many Chinese without their traditional support mechanism but also pushed a large number of people into relative poverty.
And the income gap is widening further between the rich and poor.
This, coupled with a changed attitude towards life, has driven many to extremes in their desperate attempt to come to terms with the fast pace of change and the prevalent law of the jungle.
On top of that, there is still a stigma in Chinese culture about people needing psychological counselling.
Family members and society as a whole tend to conceal or shun those with mental health problems. This may partly lead to attackers failing to get help before they commit crimes.
Whatever the causes may be, the parents of the victims are paying a high price.
Asia
Pakistan shooting wounds two Chinese nationals
Israeli PM Netanyahu fires Defense Minister Gallant, citing lack of mutual trust
South Korea fines Meta about $15 mln over collection of user data
Netanyahu reportedly offering ‘millions of dollars’ to Gaza captors for each hostage released
NEWS FEED
5.7-magnitude quake hits central Peru
Exit polls: US voters name democracy and economy as top issues
Trump predictably leads in Kentucky, Indiana — US media
Elon Musk to spend election night with Donald Trump
Trump reports mass election fraud in battleground state of Pennsylvania
Moscow hosts forum dedicated to COP29 -PHOTO
Pentagon says it will work closely with Israel's next defense minister
Trump is ahead of Harris in most states: Media
Democrats expect ‘fatigue of Donald Trump’ to affect US election outcome
Euronews airs a reportage on Azerbaijan's preparations for COP29-VIDEO
US FBI arrests two in Michigan over election threats
Kazakh, French Presidents adopt Joint declaration
Pakistan shooting wounds two Chinese nationals
Informal dinner for heads of state and government of the Organization of Turkic States was held in Bishkek
Israeli PM Netanyahu fires Defense Minister Gallant, citing lack of mutual trust
Sweden to provide Ukraine with two coast guard vessels
Trump says confident in his victory at presidential election
Trump casts ballot in Florida as voters go to the polls to choose next US president
US election day voting begins
Erdogan ally floats Türkiye constitutional amendment to let him extend his tenure
Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister holds meetings with participants of Global Summit of Religious Leaders in Baku
South Korea fines Meta about $15 mln over collection of user data
Romania hosted event dedicated to initiatives put forward by Azerbaijan under its COP29 Presidency
Budapest may host informal OTS summit - Kyrgyz President
Azerbaijan responds to Armenia's proposals on peace agreement draft
Russian FM: Moscow is not forcing Baku and Yerevan to sign a peace treaty in a hurry
Kyrgyz political scientist: There are many points we can learn from Azerbaijan
“Chinghiz Aitmatov” Order bestowed upon President Ilham Aliyev in Bishkek-UPDATED
Putin reiterates Russia’s willingness to engage in talks with Ukraine
Belgium's ambassador to Azerbaijan shares post on COP29
Azerbaijan Minister of Defense visits Military Institute in Slovakia
Third Global Summit of Religious Leaders continues with panel discussions-PHOTO-UPDATED 1
Azerbaijan's MES held meeting regarding COP29, Minister gave instructions
Lithuania says Russia responsible for exploding parcels that caused fires
President of US Foundation for Ethnic Understanding: Azerbaijan is a tolerant country
Explosion at Turkish oil refinery injures several-PHOTO-UPDATED
Executive Director of SOFAZ elected Deputy Chair of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds Board
Azerbaijan spent over AZN 3.6 bln. on construction works in liberated districts
Putin: Russia will continue to work for normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations
Boeing factory strike ends as workers vote to accept contract
Newly appointed Azerbaijani ambassador to Russia presented his credentials to President
UAE official: It is a good thing to gather in Baku on topic of climate change
Azerbaijan's hosting Global Religious Leaders Summit on climate change is very important - Turkish MP
First “Chinghiz Aitmatov” Order presented to Azerbaijani President
Kyiv does everything to involve South Korea in conflict in Ukraine - Kremlin
2 Azerbaijani students to study in Tajikistan for the first time under Intergovernmental Scholarship Program
Kremlin does not recognize Maia Sandu as Moldova's President
Poland to spend $750 mln to boost ammunition production
Germany arrests eight suspected members of right-wing group plotting revolt
Azerconnect Group joins the UN Global Compact