Suzhou Woman Hu You sacrificed her life to protect a Japanese person who was stabbed to death, causing a stir in China. A professor from Fudan University questioned the authenticity of the Suzhou Public Security Bureau’s announcement, and more heroic details about Hu You have emerged online. Analysts believe that the Communist Party of China labeling this incident as a “random event” is misleading and manipulative, swaying public opinion while in reality, Hu You prevented a terrorist attack.
On June 24, a Japanese mother and son in Suzhou were attacked by a stranger with a knife while waiting for a school bus for a Japanese school. Hu You, a staff member, was stabbed multiple times while trying to prevent the assailant from boarding the bus and tragically passed away on the 26th despite rescue efforts.
On June 27, the Suzhou Public Security Bureau announced that school bus staff member Hu You (54 years old) who was severely injured in the stabbing incident had unfortunately passed away despite rescue efforts and requested the city government to posthumously award her the title of “Suzhou Model of Valor.”
The announcement was questioned. On June 28, Fudan University professor Qu Weiguo pointed out four objections in a post, stating that the announcement did not follow the criteria outlined in the Suzhou Model of Valor evaluation regulations.
The objections were:
1. Why didn’t the announcement mention Hu You’s role as a passenger on the bus?
2. Why didn’t the announcement mention that Hu You intervened to prevent the assailant from harming Japanese students?
3. Why didn’t the announcement specify the exact time of Hu You’s passing?
4. The most serious objection according to him: Referring to the Suzhou Model of Valor evaluation regulations, Valor is divided into heroes, models, and advanced individuals. A “model of valor” is defined as someone who “has paid a great price,” and Hu You “paid the ultimate price,” why doesn’t she meet the criteria for being hailed as a “valor hero”?
On June 28, people in Jiangsu mourned and paid tribute to Hu You, laying flowers at the station where the incident occurred, only to be stopped by undercover police officers. Netizens expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation, criticizing the Communist Party for their actions.
What exactly happened on June 24? According to a police report released by the Suzhou Public Security Bureau on June 25, a knife attack incident occurred at a bus stop in Suzhou, leaving three people injured (including one Chinese and two Japanese nationals). The injured Chinese victim was still in critical condition while trying to prevent the suspect from committing the crime.
On June 28, an article by Netease Account “Changping Investment Research” highlighted the lack of information available following the bus attack incident. The heroic act of Hu You, who bravely fought the attacker to protect the students on the bus, went unnoticed in official channels until the announcement of her passing.
Netizens shared details they found on Japanese media platforms, indicating that the assailant intended to attack the bus but was stopped by a teacher (Hu You), who was stabbed before he harmed a Japanese mother and child who had not yet boarded. The Japanese side acknowledged Hu You’s bravery and expressed gratitude for her sacrifice.
However, on June 25, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning labeled the incident as a “random event,” denying any intentional crime against Japanese individuals and emphasizing that such incidents could happen in any country.
Commenting on the situation, host Tang Jingyuan pointed out that official statements from the Communist Party of China and the Suzhou Public Security Bureau failed to address key details of the incident, such as Hu You’s role as a bus staff member and her heroic actions to protect the Japanese students, leading to a distorted narrative.
The sudden change in the official stance from concealing information to promoting Hu You posthumously raised suspicions. The attempt to shift public opinion by recognizing Hu You’s heroism aimed to divert attention from the Communist Party’s responsibility for fostering anti-Japanese sentiments among the population.
Tang Jingyuan suggested that the Communist Party’s actions aimed to manipulate public sentiment, highlighting their role in inciting crimes against Japanese individuals and subsequently attempting to capitalize on the resulting public outrage for their own benefit.
Moreover, two attacks against foreign nationals in China had occurred within the same month. The incidents were seen as a byproduct of the Communist Party’s agenda to promote nationalistic and authoritarian ideologies, fostering an environment where anti-foreign sentiments prevail.
In light of these recent events, experts argue that the Communist Party’s manipulation of public opinion, misuse of tragedies for propaganda purposes, and disregard for truth reflect a deeper problem within the political system. The shifts in narratives, from suppression to glorification, serve the regime’s interests rather than upholding principles of justice and transparency.