China expert reveals new theory on why man scalded baby in park
An expert on Chinese social issues has shed new light on the potential motive behind the attack on a baby in a Brisbane park.
In August, nine-month-old Luka was enjoying Hanlon Park with his mother when the man poured boiling hot coffee on the infant before fleeing the scene.
Police identified the attacker as a 33-year-old man from China, who travelled to his home country after the attack, evading capture by police.
As many hypothesise about the motive behind the attack, Will Sterzel, a prominent critic of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), said the attack follows a trend of similar attacks in China.
Sterzel, who lived in China for 14 years but left for America after the CCP criticised his vocalness over his frustration with the government, explained that the man's attack on baby Luka is reflective of his own social life and displeasure with state bureaucracy.
"When his latest application for a visa was rejected, he did what so many in China do: lashed out and took revenge on society by attacking a child," Mr Sterzel said.
"He even said to his friend that he wanted to take revenge on white people."
According to Mr Sterzel, the phenomenon reflects a deep-seated frustration that some Chinese nationals feel about the living conditions under the ruling Communist Party.
"What it boils down to at the root of it all is injustice," Mr Sterzel claimed.
He went on to explain that China lacks government support - such as mental health services, public funds or charities - for those in situations of misfortune, prompting many people to lash out.
"When you're down on your luck the government will not help you in China, there are no social programs and if your family isn't willing to float you you're done for," Mr Sterzel said.
"There simply are no mental health facilities or systems in place to deal with mental health. So, when people snap and are at wit's end they have no recourse, they're not allowed to blame the government, they cannot strike or protest or petition or take action."
"They have nowhere to turn and so they selfishly lash out at society trying to inflict as much damage as possible and in China children are the most precious and important part of society."
Mr Sterzel explained that children in China are faced with a lot of responsibility, and are often forced to be providers for their entire family.
"All that the entire family's future rides on how good a job the child gets," Mr Sterzel said.
"So, by attacking and murdering young children these disgruntled cowards inflict huge damage to society disrupting the plans and livelihoods of multiple generations. The grandparents can no longer retire, the parents' lives are destroyed and China's already shrinking demographics get smaller."
"They have inflicted maximum damage to society."
Mr Sterzel stressed that "revenge against society" attacks were not cultural tradition, adding, "This is a problem that's continuing to grow in China and unfortunately get exported abroad."
Image credits: Queensland Police / 9News