Knife attacks in China

This item appears on page 17 of the May 2014 issue.

In Kunming, southwestern China, on March 1, up to eight people wielding long knives or swords attacked people at a train station, killing 29 and injuring 130. Four attackers were killed and four others, apprehended. 

Chinese authorities have identified them as members of the Uyghur ethnic group, from the northwestern province of Xinjiang, and members of  the East Turkistan Separatist Movement, who reportedly wanted to participate in jihad and had been prevented from leaving China.

In Changsha City, Hunan Province, southeastern China, on March 14, an argument between two street vendors led to the deaths of six people, including the suspect. After killing his rival, the suspect fled, stabbing four more people before being shot and killed by police.