China insists country safe after car-ramming attack kills 35: Video

The incident occurred on November 11, 2024, and has sparked widespread concern and grief across the nation.

"I would like to point out, China is one of the safest places in the world and has one of the lowest crime rates. The Chinese government has and will continue to take measures to ensure people’s safety and social stability, and will always earnestly protect the safety of all foreigners in China," Lin Jian, the spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry told reporters at a regular press briefing on Wednesday, November 13.

On the case of the Japanese Embassy in China issuing a high alert warning to its citizens in the country, Jian said: " It’s understood that so far, there are no foreigners among the casualties in this case. The Chinese government will never tolerate any illegal and violent acts and will, as always, safeguard the safety of all foreigners in China under the law."

The attack took place at the Zhuhai Sports Centre, where a 62-year-old man, identified by his surname Fan, drove his vehicle into a crowd of people exercising. According to initial police reports, Fan was dissatisfied with the division of property following his divorce, which may have motivated the attack.

He was apprehended at the scene but was in a coma due to self-inflicted injuries, preventing immediate interrogation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for severe punishment for the perpetrator and ordered an "all-out effort" to treat the injured. In a rare move, Xi also instructed a central government working group to oversee the response efforts, highlighting the seriousness with which the government is treating the incident.

"All localities and relevant departments should make an effort to ensure the safety of people’s lives and social stability," XI said in a statement.