The act of violence overshadows the already inflamed relations between the Asian powers.
China’s increasing presence in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait worries its neighboring countries.
China and Japan are cool at the state level. The atmosphere seems to be tightening among the citizens as well. A 44-year-old man stabbed a Japanese schoolboy yesterday Wednesday in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. The 10-year-old boy later died of his injuries in hospital.
For now, the reason for the stabbing and the possible connection to the victim’s background is unclear. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa however, demands an explanation from China about what happened. The boy’s parents are citizens of Japan and China.
China apologizes for the stabbing
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it mourns and regrets the fatal stabbing.
Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Li Jian expressed his condolences to the family of the dead boy. According to the spokesperson, China is helping the investigations in every way.
The suspected stabber is in police custody.
China is testing Japan’s resilience
The situation in the Taiwan Strait and Japan’s territorial waters is very tense.
A Chinese aircraft carrier and two other warships have sailed between islands belonging to Japan near Taiwan, the Japanese armed forces announced on Wednesday.
According to Japan, it was the first time that an aircraft carrier belonging to China has passed between Yonaguni and Iriomote islands.
Yonaguni is the westernmost island of Japan, located more than a hundred kilometers from Taiwan.
AFP, Reuters