US college educator narrates experience with stabbing in China to Iowa-based radio station.
During a visit to a bustling public park in Jilin, China, David Zabner, one of four instructors from Cornell College, was attacked along with three other foreigners and a Chinese person. They were part of a partnership program with a local university.
According to the police, they reached the scene swiftly and promptly caught a 55-year-old man, known by his surname Cui. The suspect reportedly collided with a foreigner and subsequently stabbed him, according to the authorities' statement. Additionally, Cui also injured the three other foreigners and the Chinese person who tried to intervene. The police did not reveal the motive behind the attack, stating that their investigation was still ongoing.
China's Foreign Ministry assured that the police consider the incident to be isolated, based on the preliminary assessment.
Zabner recounted the incident to Iowa Public Radio News from his hospital room, "Police told us that he was jobless and facing tough times, and that one of our group bumped into him. And he decided to respond accordingly."
Zabner first became aware of the situation when he heard a scream as he was descending a hill in Beishan Park, a popular urban park in Jilin. "I turned around to see a man brandishing a knife at me. I initially thought my coworkers had been shoved, and he was trying to shove me. But then I saw the blood on my shoulder and realized I had been stabbed."
Zabner suffered a stab wound 6 inches below his shoulder. He was attended to by paramedics about 20 minutes later, as reported by Iowa Public Radio News.
The Chinese police stated that the five victims received immediate medical care and did not sustain any life-threatening injuries.
In online footage and photos alleged to show the aftermath of the incident, Zabner could be seen laying on his side, using his phone while surrounded by two other wounded instructors, with his shirt soaked in blood.
These videos and images went viral on Chinese social media but were quickly deleted, along with any discussions about the attack.
The attack occurred at a critical time for China as it tries to attract back international visitors after three years of rigid Covid-19 border restrictions. It also happened amid efforts to strengthen education collaborations with the US as the two countries attempt to improve their strained relationship.
Local state media initially remained silent on the matter, however, they later briefly reported on statements from the Foreign Ministry and Jilin police, adhering to the official version of the events.
Several social media users expressed their concerns about the attack's potential effect on China's global image and the potential reluctance of foreigners to visit the country. Some users were also skeptical of the official account, blaming "anti-Western" and "anti-foreigner" propaganda, as well as the increasing nationalism, for the bloody event.
Of the instructors, three are American citizens, and the other is a non-citizen resident of Iowa, as stated by the US State Department.
US Ambassador Nicholas Burns expressed his anger and deep concern over the incident on Monday, writing on Twitter, "A US consular officer visited the 4 in Jilin Hospital today where they are receiving treatment. We are doing everything we can to help them (and) hope for their quick recovery."
Zabner's second trip to China with Cornell College was in November 2019, where he taught computer science classes at Beihua University as part of the partnership program since 2018. He was thrilled to revisit the country in the summer, as he told the radio station.
Zabner's brother, Iowa state representative Adam Zabner, confirmed that his sibling was "doing well" and in the process of healing from his injuries, speaking to CNN on Tuesday.
"I'm simply grateful that my brother is okay and survived the attack," he said. "The primary hope of our family is to get my brother home as soon as possible and see to his recovery."
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After the incident, concerns regarding the safety of foreigners in China rose globally.In light of this stabbing incident in Jilin, China, some questioned the country's readiness to welcome international visitors.
