China executes a man who stabbed a Japanese school boy

China has fulfilled a man for a fatal stabbing a 10-year-old Japanese boy Last September, the Japanese Embassy in China told the BBC.

Zhong Changchun was sentenced to death in January for attacking the boy who was going to a Japanese school in the southeastern Chinese city of Shenzhen.

The case sent shock waves through both sides and nourished diplomatic tensions against the background of claims that it was a xenophobic attack.

“The Japan government considers the murder of a completely innocent child as an unforgivable crime, and we accept this execution with the biggest solemnity,” the Japanese embassy said in a statement to the BBC.

“In the light of this incident, the Japanese government will continue to take all possible safety measures and will strongly insist that the Chinese side guarantee the safety of Japanese citizens in China.”

It says he was informed of the execution by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The incident increased fears among Japanese living in China and prompted Japanese companies, including Toyota, to ask their employees to take precautions. Others, such as Panasonic, offered employees free flights at home.

The verdict in the Zhong case Does not mention JapanThey said Japanese employees earlier. Kenji Kanasugi, Ambassador of Japan to China, said Jong wanted to talk to the victim’s family, but did not say if he was directed at Japanese citizens.

The incident also lights up light on unverified nationalism in Chinese social media, which has been nourishing anti-refunds in recent years.

Online commentators noted that the murder of the student happened on a politically sensitive date – September 18, the anniversary of an incident that led to Japanese Mandaguria occupation in China in the early 30s.

Historical complaints have long overshadowed political tensions between China and Japan. China has long demanded an excuse from Japan for its colonial and military aggression in the early and mid -20th century. He also accused Japan of enchanting his brutal hostilities in China in his history textbooks.

Strugging also came against the backdrop of a number of attacks against foreigners in China, including piercing four American teachers in jilinS

Last June, man attacked a Japanese mother and her child At a bus stop in Suchzhou, but in the end he killed a Chinese woman trying to protect them. The man was also executed, Japanese officials said last week.