What’s new: The eastern city of Suzhou plans to honor a woman who was killed trying to stop a stabbing this week that injured a Japanese mother and her child.
Hu Youping, 54, will be given the title of “righteous and courageous role model” for her actions, according to a notice issued by Suzhou Public Security Bureau on Thursday.
Hu stepped in when a knife-wielding man attacked the victim and her son while they were waiting for a school bus Monday afternoon in the city.
Hu tried to prevent other people from being harmed without regard for her personal safety, the statement said, “showing the lofty qualities of bravery, courage and justice.”
Hu was stabbed several times by the attacker and died after rescue efforts failed, it added. The two Japanese citizens suffered injuries that were not life threatening, according to separate police report.
The Embassy of Japan in China flew a Japanese flag at half-staff, paying tribute to Hu’s “noble act,” according to the embassy’s social media post Friday. It said “Ms. Hu Youping single-handedly protected innocent women and children from the hands of criminals. We believe her courage and kindness also represent the Chinese people.”
The background: Police detained a suspect, a 52-year-old unemployed man surnamed Zhou, at the scene, police said.
China’s Foreign Ministry expressed regret over the stabbing and said at a press briefing Tuesday that the attack appeared to be an isolated incident.
Contact reporter Kelly Wang (jingzhewang@caixin.com) and editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com)
