Incident Overview
The harrowing incident unfolded in mere moments: On June 10, two American instructors from a college in Iowa were brutally attacked in northeast China. The assailant first plunged a knife into the back of each instructor, and as two of their colleagues rushed to assist, they were met with slashes to their left arms. A Chinese national who attempted to intervene was also harmed, sustaining a knife wound to the abdomen.
Diplomatic Fallout
Nearly two months after the attack in Jilin City, the incident has escalated tensions in the already fraught diplomatic relationship between the United States and China. R. Nicholas Burns, the United States ambassador to China, has publicly criticized Beijing for its limited disclosure regarding the specifics of the incident. He expressed concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the attack.
Call for Transparency
In a statement to The New York Times on Tuesday, Ambassador Burns remarked, “Chinese government authorities have not provided additional details on the motives of the assailant.” He emphasized that the U.S. remains dissatisfied with the lack of information and has made its concerns clear to the Chinese government in Beijing.
China’s Response
In response to these criticisms, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a robust defense of their handling of the stabbings. A statement provided to The Times on Wednesday reiterated claims made by Jilin police shortly after the incident. According to the statement, the confrontation began when the 55-year-old assailant collided with one of the instructors on a crowded pathway. The statement noted that the assailant had been experiencing difficulties in walking prior to the altercation, although it did not provide further clarification.
Official Statements
- The Chinese Ministry’s statement asserted: “This case was an isolated incident caused by a physical collision and quarrel between the two parties.”
- It further claimed, “It was not targeted at a specific country or person, nor against U.S. personnel in China. Such matters could happen in any country.”
Further Diplomatic Concerns
During an interview on Thursday, a U.S. government official—who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the diplomatic situation—expressed ongoing dissatisfaction with China’s position regarding the incident. This underscores the complexities and challenges currently facing U.S.-China relations.
