Xu Lai, a Chinese blogger and author, was stabbed in the stomach during a public appearance in a Beijing bookstore on February 14, 2009. Lai works as a journalist for the Beijing News and also runs the blog "ProState in Flames," which is a popular, albeit somewhat controversial collection of satire and commentary on Chinese politics and political issues.Times Online: Dissident blogger Xu Lai, aka ProState in Flames, is stabbed in Beijing (February 15, 2009) China Digital Times: Prominent Blogger...Stabbed In Beijing (February 14, 2009)
The Attack
According to witnesses, Liu was forced into the men's washroom by two men armed with knives. His two assailants were not immediately identified, nor was their motive clear, although one witness reported hearing one of the attackers say: "You brought this on yourself. You know why we're doing this, don't you?"Times Online: Dissident blogger Xu Lai, aka ProState in Flames, is stabbed in Beijing (February 15, 2009)
References
Fast Facts
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Chinese blogger and author
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Blog, ProState in Flames, was taken down in November 2008, but he started another blog shortly thereafter China Digital Times: Prominent Blogger...Stabbed In Beijing (February 14, 2009)
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Lai reportedly had emergency surgery and is recovering in hospitalBlack and White Cat: Blogger stabbed in Beijing (February 15, 2009)
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Internet users suggested that the attack was motivated by anger over Lai's blog, which is often critical of the Chinese governmentThe New York Times: At Reading in Beijing, Noted Writer Is Stabbed (February 15, 2009)
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News of the attack was reported on and spread quickly via Internet message boards and TwitterGuardian: Chinese blogger Xu Lai stabbed in Beijing bookshop (February 15, 2009)
