Chinese blogger stabbed after talk at Beijing bookstore

A popular Chinese blogger whose work was censored last year was stabbed at a Beijing bookstore where he had just given a talk. Two men dragged him into the bathroom, saying something about how he should watch whom he offends. Sounds more like Mafia intimidation than something the government would do, doesn't it? Of course, in corrupt societies like China and today's Russia, the distinction between the actions of the government, of gangsters, and of industrial criminals is hard to make.

Xi Lai is reported to be recovering after emergency surgery. A picture is here. There are some reports saying he died after the attack but apparently that is not true. A report by a blogger familiar with his work is here.

technorati: China, bloggers