Two men convicted of carrying out two separate deadly attacks that killed dozens in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, and Wuxi, Jiangsu province, in November were executed Monday after China's top court approved their death sentences.
The Zhuhai Intermediate People's Court in Guangdong executed Fan Weiqiu, 62, with approval from the Supreme People's Court.
Fan drove a small SUV through a barrier at a sports center in Zhuhai on Nov 11, ramming people exercising at the venue. The incident left 35 people dead and 43 others injured, authorities said, and caused widespread social alarm.
READ MORE: Legal action taken after Zhuhai tragedy
An investigation revealed Fan had been dissatisfied with the division of financial assets in his divorce and vented his personal anger on society.
In December, the Zhuhai Intermediate People's Court sentenced Fan to death and deprived him of political rights for life for endangering public safety by dangerous means.
Meanwhile, in Jiangsu, the Wuxi Intermediate People's Court carried out the execution of Xu Jiajin, 21, who was convicted of intentional homicide.
On Nov 16 at around 6:30 pm, Xu killed eight people and injured 17 during a stabbing attack at the Wuxi Vocational Institute of Arts and Technology.
Police said Xu, who was supposed to graduate from the school last year, was angry because he failed his exams and was denied graduation. He was also dissatisfied with his internship pay.
Xu was caught at the scene and confessed, police said. The Wuxi court sentenced him to death on Dec 17.
In China, death sentences handed down by lower courts must be reviewed and approved by the Supreme People's Court before being carried out. The executions were conducted under the supervision of prosecutors in Zhuhai and Wuxi.
READ MORE: 8 killed, 17 injured in knife attack at East China vocational school
The Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China Central Committee responded to the executions Monday.
Liang Genlin, a law professor at Peking University, said on the commission's official WeChat account that Fan's and Xu's actions were motivated by personal anger, and they indiscriminately targeted innocent people.
"Their actions were extremely violent and cruel, with severe consequences and serious harm to society," Liang posted.
Liang emphasized the importance of severely punishing serious crimes in accordance with the law, calling such actions a strong deterrent that helps maintain public safety and stability.
"This timely response addresses public concerns, stabilizes safety expectations, and ensures both substantive and procedural justice," the professor said, adding that the approach integrates legal, policy and social outcomes while reinforcing confidence in the justice system.
Contact the writers at zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn
