Hong Kong – Four American instructors from a small college in Iowa were injured in a stabbing attack during a teaching trip to China, according to their school and U.S. officials.

The instructors, from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, were visiting a public park in the northeastern city of Jilin when the attack occurred. They were accompanied by a faculty member from Beihua University, their Chinese partner institution. Jonathan Brand, president of Cornell College, confirmed the incident and stated that the school was in contact with all four instructors and providing assistance.

A spokesperson for the State Department acknowledged the reports and said U.S. officials were monitoring the situation but offered no further comment. As of Tuesday afternoon, Chinese authorities had not released any statements regarding the incident.

Iowa State Representative Adam Zabner confirmed that his brother, David Zabner, was one of the victims. David Zabner, a graduate student at Tufts University and an alumnus of Cornell College, was hospitalized with arm injuries but was reported to be in good spirits.

Details about the conditions of the other victims, who have not been publicly identified, remain unclear. It is also unknown whether the attack was targeted or random.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds expressed her concern on social media, stating she was in touch with federal officials and the State Department. Senator Joni Ernst and Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks also expressed their support and efforts to ensure the victims' safe return to the U.S.

This attack occurred as the U.S. and China are working to improve bilateral relations through people-to-people exchanges. Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping invited 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs over the next five years. However, the number of Americans studying in China has decreased significantly in recent years, especially during the pandemic.

Despite China's strict gun control laws, knife attacks are not uncommon. Chinese state media, which frequently report on violence against Chinese nationals in the U.S., have been silent on this incident. However, "Jilin" was trending on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.

Prominent Chinese commentator Hu Xijin expressed hope that the incident would not negatively impact international exchanges. He emphasized that Chinese people are generally friendly towards foreign tourists and that this attack should be seen as an isolated incident.

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