Zhuhai Car Attack: A Night of Tragedy

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In the early hours of November 12, a tragedy unfolded in front of the Zhuhai Sports Center. By the next morning, the site had been cleaned up as if nothing had happened. That same afternoon, the biennial Zhuhai Airshow opened with great fanfare. The J-35 stealth fighter jet made its debut, the twin-seat version of the J-20 performed an aerial display, and Russia's Su-57 fighter jet joined the event as well. The Chinese People's Liberation Army also showcased integrated reconnaissance-attack drones and unmanned self-propelled artillery. One particularly striking display was the "robotic wolf" combat unit developed by China North Industries Group Corporation. This unit, consisting of four platforms working in coordination, demonstrated capabilities such as reconnaissance, detection, and precision strikes, highlighting the power of modern warfare. It was a spectacle that left many wondering whether even the U.S. military could match such advanced technology.

However, on the evening of November 11, the day before the airshow, a horrific violent attack occurred at the Zhuhai Sports Center, resulting in 35 deaths and 43 serious injuries. This incident not only set a record for the highest death toll in recent public safety incidents but also surpassed the casualties of several notorious terror attacks. For comparison, the 2014 New Year's Eve stampede in Shanghai resulted in 35 deaths, and the Kunming train station terror attack in 2014 left 31 dead and 73 injured. Yet this attack, carried out by a single individual, caused even greater loss of life.

Incident Trail Map

The suspect clearly planned the attack in advance. On the night of November 10, he drove to the sports center to survey the area and observe the density of people. At approximately 7:40 PM on November 11, he returned, driving his car through an iron fence and into a crowd of people exercising at the venue. Due to poor lighting and loud music, the crowd was unaware of the impending danger until the car began plowing through them. The car moved along the running track, causing devastating injuries wherever it passed. Survivors' accounts are heart-wrenching. One recalled how her mother narrowly avoided going that evening but lost close friends. Another victim’s son arrived at the scene and attempted CPR on his mother, but ultimately, she could not be saved.

Rescue efforts were delayed for various reasons, including logistical challenges caused by preparations for the airshow, which tied up many emergency vehicles. Many of the injured were transported to hospitals in police cars, while those who had died were taken directly to the mortuary. At the hospital, medical staff were overwhelmed, and families of the deceased were asked to sign confirmation documents filled with names. One young woman shared a letter about her adoptive parents, who were both at the scene. Her mother was critically injured and sent to the ICU. Doctors warned that even if surgery succeeded, her mother might only survive for a few days in a vegetative state. Her father, holding back tears, appeared calm and composed as he answered calls about her condition but wept in private.

After the attack, the suspect did not immediately surrender. Instead, he drove several hundred meters away before stopping. When police surrounded the vehicle, the suspect began self-harming with a knife. He was eventually subdued and taken to the hospital after losing consciousness due to blood loss. The investigation revealed the suspect’s name as Fan Weiqiu, a 62-year-old man embroiled in a divorce dispute. He was reportedly dissatisfied with the division of marital property during legal proceedings. Early police reports mentioned his litigation details, but these were later removed, possibly due to pressure from the judiciary. Fan’s actions suggest that his violent outburst stemmed not from economic desperation but from anger over perceived social injustice.

In recent years, indiscriminate acts of violence have become increasingly common in China. Previously, such incidents were often carried out by individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds driven to desperation. This case, however, involved a middle-class perpetrator, reflecting a shift in the origins of social unrest. This shift highlights a dangerous trend: the frustration and resentment that fuel such acts are no longer confined to society’s margins but are spreading to the middle class. Social assistance programs aimed at alleviating poverty may be ineffective in addressing these grievances, which are rooted in perceived inequities rather than material need.

Following the incident, Chinese President Xi Jinping issued directives emphasizing the need to maintain social stability and prevent extreme incidents. Guangdong Party Secretary Huang Kunming convened meetings to discuss addressing the root causes of such tragedies, including family disputes and judicial fairness. Reports circulating online suggest that Fan had previously staged a "fake divorce" to evade debts from gambling but later found himself excluded from his assets when the divorce became permanent. His attempts to contest the property division in court were unsuccessful, potentially triggering his extreme actions.

When juxtaposed with the impressive military displays at the Zhuhai Airshow, this tragedy serves as a stark irony. A nation’s military might may deter external threats, but it appears powerless against the internal despair and anger of its citizens. An article on Zhihu titled "Atomized Rebellion" offers a compelling analysis of such phenomena, describing them as unorganized, random acts of retaliation against society.

These individuals act alone, without clear demands or affiliations, driven solely by the desire to inflict maximum damage. The unpredictability of their actions renders traditional security measures ineffective, as authorities cannot foresee who might become the next perpetrator.

Modern society may appear prosperous and stable, but escalating social tensions have driven more individuals to express their anger in the most extreme ways. A country may possess world-leading weaponry, but the true challenge lies in maintaining internal stability and addressing public discontent. While the Zhuhai Airshow showcased China’s formidable military capabilities, it underscored the vulnerability of a society grappling with unresolved grievances. Only by fostering fairness and addressing the concerns of both the middle and lower classes can such tragedies be prevented.

People placed flowers outside the stadium in Zhuhai after the attack

This incident claimed the lives of many innocent people—ordinary individuals whose lives were abruptly ended by one person’s extreme actions. Their stories deserve to be remembered, and society must deeply reflect on how to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Update: On January 20, 2025, the suspect involved in the Zhuhai Airshow case was executed.