A shocking incident has occurred involving a delegation from Iowa during their cultural exchange trip in China. Two teachers from Muscatine High School were stabbed in Shijiazhuang, the capital city of Hebei Province, while participating in events related to the Dragon Boat Festival.
The delegation, consisting of 24 students and 4 staff members, was invited by the Chinese government as part of an educational exchange program initiated by President Xi Jinping. The program aims to host 50,000 American students over the next five years, fostering cultural understanding and bilateral relations.
Four Americans affiliated with Iowa’s Cornell College were injured in a random stabbing attack in China, according to Chinese officials.
At least two of the victims are hospitalized in critical condition, according to a congresswoman. https://t.co/G7H0DfVW3z pic.twitter.com/1469zgGAag
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) June 11, 2024
The Muscatine delegation's visit included various educational and cultural activities, such as making traditional fragrance sachets and Zongzi, glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves.
The attack occurred during one of these cultural activities, causing severe injuries to the two educators. Local authorities have detained the attacker, a Chinese national whose motives remain unclear. This incident has understandably raised concerns among the participants and their families back in Iowa.
📸 China- Chinese police say a suspect( 55 year old man) is in custody in a stabbing attack on four instructors from #Iowa’s Cornell College who were teaching at a Chinese university in the northeast city of Jilin. pic.twitter.com/dprdHqQ4s4
— Mete Sohtaoğlu (@metesohtaoglu) June 11, 2024
Despite the shocking nature of the attack, the Chinese organizers have expressed their deep regret and ensured that security measures are being reviewed to prevent such incidents in the future. The injured teachers received immediate medical attention and are currently in stable condition, according to reports from local hospitals.
The rest of the delegation, while shaken, has been continuing with their scheduled activities under heightened security. The students have visited prominent landmarks such as the Great Wall and the Beijing Zoo, maintaining the educational objectives of their trip.
This unfortunate event has cast a shadow over what was intended to be a bridge-building exercise between the U.S. and China. Muscatine High School officials and local authorities are closely monitoring the situation, providing support to the affected families and coordinating with Chinese officials to ensure the safety of their delegation.
As investigations proceed, both American and Chinese authorities are committed to addressing the safety concerns and ensuring that such exchanges can continue safely in the future. The program's broader goal of fostering cultural ties remains a priority, despite this tragic setback.
Here comes another round of Democraps whining for gun control.
Don’t go to chinkland!