In a shocking incident, four instructors from Iowa’s Cornell College were attacked and stabbed by an unknown assailant in Beishan Park, located in Jilin city, China. The group, which included David Zabner, brother of Iowa Representative Adam Zabner, was visiting a local temple when the attack occurred.
The instructors, part of a teaching partnership with a university in China, were accompanied by a member of Beihua University at the time of the incident on Monday. According to Representative Adam Zabner, his brother was stabbed in the arm and is currently recovering in the hospital. “He has not yet been released this morning but he’s doing okay,” Zabner stated.
Cornell College confirmed the “serious incident” in a statement, expressing concern for their staff members’ well-being. The group was in China as part of an educational exchange program, underscoring the importance of international academic partnerships.
The US State Department is aware of the reports but has not provided additional information at this time. Images and videos from the scene, showing at least three individuals bleeding and lying on the ground, quickly circulated on social media before being censored by Chinese authorities.
Despite the censorship, internet users in China discussed the incident under related topics, seeking more information about the attack. However, there have been few reports about the stabbing in Chinese state media, and official responses from Chinese authorities are still pending.
David Zabner, a doctoral student at Tufts University, had previously visited China and was on his second trip with Cornell College. This incident comes amid ongoing efforts by Beijing and Washington to improve people-to-people exchanges. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently announced a plan to invite 50,000 young Americans to China over the next five years, highlighting the importance of cultural and educational exchanges despite current diplomatic tensions.
Initial reports suggest that the attacker is an ultra-nationalist, motivated by anti-foreign sentiments. This incident has reignited discussions about historical anti-foreign uprisings in China, such as the Boxer Rebellion, which took place between 1899 and 1901. The Boxer Rebellion, also known as the Boxer Uprising, was an anti-foreign, anti-imperialist, and anti-Christian uprising in North China, reflecting deep-seated xenophobic sentiments.
This incident comes at a time when historical references to the Boxer Rebellion have surfaced in local discussions. The Boxer Rebellion was a significant event in Chinese history, marked by widespread violence against foreigners and Christians, fueled by anti-imperialist and nationalist fervor. The parallels drawn between the current attack and the sentiments of the Boxer Rebellion highlight ongoing issues of xenophobia and nationalist extremism.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to refrain from spreading rumors and to allow the police to conduct their work.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available and as the investigation progresses.
