Beijing: In recent months, a troubling rise in knife attacks has disrupted the Chinese Communist Party's portrayal of social harmony and public safety. Despite official claims of low violent crime rates, a series of brutal incidents has highlighted significant issues within Chinese society and governance.

The attack on a school bus carrying Japanese children near Shanghai is the latest in a spate of violent incidents that Chinese authorities seem unable or unwilling to address effectively. This tragedy has intensified tensions between China and its neighbors, exacerbated by state-sanctioned anti-Japanese rhetoric. Japanese citizens in China now require warnings from their consulate, underscoring the failure of Chinese authorities to ensure the safety of foreign nationals.

Violence is not limited to foreigners; Chinese citizens are also increasingly falling victim to random attacks in public spaces, including parks, schools, and hospitals. In Jilin, four professors from a U.S. university were stabbed in a park, and similar attacks have occurred at subway stations, primary schools, and hospitals across various regions. Victims range from children to the elderly, with perpetrators often described as middle-aged men acting alone.

The government’s response has been inadequate, marked by information control and a refusal to acknowledge systemic problems. The lack of transparency in crime reporting and potential manipulation of statistics for political reasons further erode public trust.

China's economic challenges, including high youth unemployment and a struggling property sector, are exacerbating social tensions. Yet, instead of addressing these root causes, the government appears more concerned with maintaining a facade of stability and control. The recent economic downturn, particularly in the real estate sector, has left many Chinese citizens struggling financially, potentially contributing to increased social unrest and crime rates.

Strict controls on weapons, including limitations on access to firearms and large knives, have proven ineffective in preventing these attacks. This failure highlights the futility of addressing complex social issues with simplistic, authoritarian measures. The government’s handling of mental health issues also comes under scrutiny. Authorities often attribute these attacks to individuals with mental health problems but fail to address the systemic lack of adequate mental health resources and support.

The nature of these attacks resembles "personal terrorism" in Japan, where individuals commit mass violence to draw attention to their grievances. This parallel suggests a link between social pressures, individual grievances, and public acts of violence that the Chinese government seems unwilling to explore. Concerns about underreporting and manipulation of crime statistics for political reasons are prevalent, as local officials may reclassify or underreport crimes to present a more favorable image of public safety.

The government’s response has been telling. While quick to praise individual acts of heroism, such as bus attendant Hu Youping's sacrifice, officials have been silent on the broader implications of these incidents. The Foreign Ministry’s dismissal of the Suzhou attack as an "isolated incident" that could happen anywhere in the world reeks of deflection and denial. This stance is not only disingenuous but potentially dangerous. By refusing to acknowledge the severity and frequency of these attacks, the Chinese government is failing in its fundamental duty to protect its citizens and residents.

The banning of anti-Japanese hate speech on major Chinese internet platforms following the Suzhou attack is a tacit admission of the government's role in fomenting xenophobic sentiment, which has now spiraled out of control. As China attempts to revive its international image and attract tourists and students through initiatives like visa-free access for more countries, the persistence of these violent incidents exposes the hollow nature of its charm offensive.

The government’s reluctance to address the systemic nature of these attacks undermines its credibility on the global stage and raises serious questions about its ability to ensure public safety. The recent spate of knife attacks in China is more than a law enforcement issue; it is a damning indictment of the Chinese government's failures. From economic mismanagement to social repression, from inadequate mental health support to state-sponsored nationalism, the root causes of these violent outbursts can be traced back to fundamental flaws in China's governance model.

As China grapples with mounting social and economic pressures, its refusal to acknowledge and address these underlying issues threatens to further destabilize society. The Communist Party’s prioritization of control and image over genuine social welfare and public safety is creating a pressure cooker of discontent. Unless significant reforms are undertaken to address economic disparities, provide adequate mental health support, and allow for greater social freedoms, China risks facing even more severe social unrest in the future. The knife attacks plaguing China are a symptom of a deeper malaise within Chinese society, one that the government seems either unable or unwilling to cure. As long as the Communist Party continues to prioritize maintaining its grip on power over addressing the real needs of its citizens, China will struggle to achieve the genuine stability and safety it so often claims to have mastered. The world watches as China grapples with this challenge, its response likely to shape perceptions of its governance model for years to come.