2023 Guangzhou car attack

On the evening of 11 January 2023, during rush hour, a driver deliberately rammed a black BMW X3 into pedestrians and motorists across several intersections along Tianhe Road and Tiyu East Road in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. The area is described as one of the busiest, most densely packed commercial districts in the city, with the Tianhe and Tiyu East Road intersection known as the busiest in Guangzhou.

At approximately 17:25, the driver turned from Tianhe Road onto Tiyu East Road, striking multiple pedestrians at the intersection. He then drove to another intersection, hit a pedestrian, returned to the first site to strike more people, and continued east on Tianhe Road, hitting two delivery drivers and a bicyclist near the Shipaiqiao Bus Station. He then turned into another intersection and struck additional pedestrians, later ramming a traffic policeman on a motorcycle, who survived. The vehicle finally stopped after crashing into a guard rail. The driver exited the car, threw Renminbi banknotes on the ground, and attempted to flee before being subdued by bystanders. While being arrested, he falsely claimed a family relationship to a senior Chinese Communist Party official. Six people died, including a six-year-old girl, and 29 others were injured and taken to local hospitals.

Guangzhou police arrested the driver, identified as Wen Qingyun, a 22-year-old man from Jieyang, at 19:36 the same night. He was charged three days later with endangering public safety by dangerous means. Wen had no prior criminal record. According to prosecutors, on the day of the attack he had been scolded by his parents over spending, then took his father's BMW X3 for a drive, reaching speeds of 180 km/h on a highway and evading tolls multiple times. Wen later confessed that he developed a sudden urge to take his emotions out on others and accelerated into the crowd.

Wen's trial took place on 18 April 2023 at the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court. His attorney requested a psychiatric evaluation, which the court rejected after family members said there was no history of mental illness. Wen was sentenced to death and deprivation of political rights for life. He appealed, but the Guangdong High People's Court dismissed the appeal on 28 June 2023, describing his conduct as "extremely cruel with extremely serious consequences." A relative of one victim who attended the trial said Wen appeared remorseful but did not specify what he regretted, nor did he apologize to victims' families. Wen was executed on 19 April 2024.

The attack drew public criticism after Guangzhou police initially described it as a traffic accident, with some accusing authorities of downplaying its severity. It became a top trending topic on Chinese social media before posts about it were removed within 24 hours, prompting censorship allegations.