An American college instructor has detailed the terrifying experience of surviving a stabbing attack in China, providing the first personal account of an incident with limited media coverage in the country.
David Zabner is one of four Cornell College instructors attacked on Monday while visiting a busy public park in Jilin, a city in northeast China. They were teaching as part of a partnership program with a local university.
“I turned around to see a man brandishing a knife at me. I didn’t immediately realize that that was what was happening, I thought that my co-workers had been pushed”
“Then I looked down at my shoulder and realized, ‘I’m bleeding, I’ve been stabbed.’”Zabner spoke to Iowa Public Radio from a hospital in Jilin.
Authorities in Jilin announced on Tuesday the arrest of a 55-year-old man named Cui in connection with the stabbing incident. The suspect reportedly “collided with a foreign national” in Beishan Park, leading to the stabbing of four foreign nationals and a Chinese national who attempted to intervene. Zabner explained that police described the attacker as an unemployed individual facing difficulties, who reacted violently after someone from their group inadvertently bumped into him.
Police confirmed that none of the victims sustained life-threatening injuries. Zabner mentioned he was stabbed in the arm about six inches below the shoulder, and paramedics arrived roughly 20 minutes later. U.S. Consul General Sara Yun visited the hospital in Jilin on Wednesday to see the injured instructors — three U.S. citizens and a non-citizen resident of Iowa. She praised their resilience.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, said she spoke with Zabner’s family in Iowa City, part of her district. She reported that Zabner was recovering well and likely able to return to the United States soon, while the other two Americans were in more critical condition after undergoing surgery.
Chinese state media initially did not report on the attack, and discussions about it appeared to be heavily censored on Chinese social media. This incident comes at a time when the U.S. and China are attempting to strengthen their relations, including through people-to-people exchanges.
On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that the stabbing incident would not disrupt the normal course of U.S.-China cultural exchanges.
“China is recognized as one of the safest countries in the world,” he stated. “China has always and will continue to take effective measures to ensure the safety of all foreigners in the country.”
