A boy attending a Japanese school in China has been attacked by a man. The student is being treated at a hospital.
The 10-year-old boy was assaulted by a knife-wielding man in Shenzhen in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong on Wednesday morning. He was heading to the school, and was attacked about 200 meters near the school.
The boy was taken to a hospital. The Japanese Consulate-General in Guangzhou says he was undergoing surgery as of 7 p.m., China time.
Local police say a 44-year-old suspect was detained on the spot by authorities.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said the case is under investigation. He did not disclose details about the condition of the injured child or the motive for the attack.
He said China is a country ruled by law and welcomes people from foreign countries, including Japan, who come there for sightseeing, study and business. He stressed that China will work for the safety of foreigners.
In June, another knife-wielding man attacked a school bus in Suzhou in the eastern province of Jiangsu when it arrived at a stop. A Japanese woman and her child were wounded. A female Chinese bus attendant tried to stop the attack but she was stabbed to death.
Anxiety has spread among Japanese communities in China. Some Japanese schools are asking students and other children to be accompanied by their guardians at all times on their way to and from school. Such schools are also calling for refrain from speaking Japanese loudly in public places.