The Facts
Chinese authorities on Monday executed two men — Fan Weiqiu and Xu Jiajin — convicted of committing separate deadly attacks that, combined, killed 43 people last November.
Weiqiu, 62, deliberately drove his SUV into a crowd at a sports center in Zhuhai on Nov. 11, resulting in at least 35 deaths and 43 injuries. It was China's deadliest public attack in a decade.
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
Weiqiu and Jiajin's execution shows China's resolute commitment to public safety and justice, with authorities taking appropriate criminal justice measures to protect citizens and maintain social order through severe penalties for revenge on society crimes that threaten public security.
Anti-China narrative
The use of capital punishment in the PRC reflects deeper social issues — including economic pressures, unemployment, and diminishing social mobility — raising questions about the need to address root causes rather than solely focusing on punitive measures.
