China clears memorial to victims of mass killings as government scrambles to respond

Authorities in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai removed wreaths, candles and even bottles of Chinese alcohol left at the site of the country's deadliest mass killing in a decade, as the government scrambled to respond and censor outrage online.

On Monday, a male driver angry over his divorce settlement rammed his car into a crowd at a sports center in the city of 2.5 million, killing 35 people and injuring 43, but it took the government nearly a day to release the death toll admit.

That sparked outrage on Chinese social media, where posts complaining about the government's slow response and raising questions about the mental health of a nation recently rocked by a spate of similar killings were quickly removed.

Despite efforts to clear the site in Zhuhai, near Macau, delivery drivers on motorcycles continued to deliver fresh flowers on Wednesday morning, even as authorities set up makeshift barriers around the makeshift vigil area and deployed security personnel.

“The authorities had not released any information – some colleagues mentioned it and I couldn't believe it at first, but it was later confirmed,” said a 50-year-old man who identified himself as Zheng, who brought flowers to the site.

“It's just a spontaneous feeling that I had. Even though I don't know them personally, I have had family members who have passed away in the past, so I understand that feeling,” Zheng said.

Some wreaths bore handwritten notes: “Strangers travel well. May there be no demons in heaven,” one read. On another: “May there be no thugs in heaven. Good will triumph over evil. Rest in peace.”

After initially allowing journalists to speak briefly with the people laying the flowers, some security forces in light blue uniforms and caps asked reporters not to speak to the people or film certain messages on the bouquets.

The attack came as Zhuhai attracted China's attention with the People's Liberation Army's largest annual air show, which showcased a new stealth aircraft for the first time.

China's state broadcaster CCTV made no mention of the attack in its 30-minute midday news program. Instead, the broadcast began with President Xi Jinping's departure for the APEC summit in Peru and devoted part of the airtime to the air show.

Other state media, such as China DailyXi Jinping's Chinese-language website also prominently displayed news of Xi's upcoming visit to Peru. The current part of China DailyThere was no mention of the incident on the website or local page either.

Hundreds of rescue workers were deployed to provide emergency treatment and more than 300 healthcare workers from five hospitals worked around the clock to save lives, state media reported Beijing Daily reported on Tuesday.

There was no evidence that the attack was related to the air show. But it was the second such incident at the Zhuhai air show: In 2008, at least four people were killed and 20 injured when a man drove a truck into a crowded schoolyard during the air show. Police said the attacker was seeking revenge over a traffic dispute.

Xi, as quoted by CCTV on Tuesday, ordered comprehensive efforts to treat the injured and called for a severe punishment for the perpetrator. According to CCTV, the central government has deployed a team to help handle the case.

Violent crime is rare in China due to tight security measures and strict gun laws. However, the increase in reports of knife attacks in major cities has drawn public attention to safety in public spaces.

The deadliest attack Reuters has identified in China in recent years occurred in Ürümqi in China's western Xinjiang region in 2014, where suicide bombers killed 39 people and four of the five attackers also died.