Video of beating from anti-Japan protest sparks backlash

A video clip released Wednesday showing the brutal beating of a Toyota car owner triggered a fierce public backlash after it went viral on Chinese video-sharing websites and microblogging services.

Li Jianli angered a male protestor while trying to protect his car in the northwestern city of Xi'an on Sept. 15. The man hit Li hard on the head several times using a U-shaped steel lock, leaving him unconscious for days.

After watching the clip, many netizens on Sina Weibo, a Twitter-like microblogging service, and web-sharing site Youku, condemned the brutal behavior and called for rational patriotic actions.

"Strongly resist violent acts! All Chinese people are of one family," wrote a microblogger under the name of "Sheshenquyi" on Sina Weibo. "The protest went too far. (He has) totally lost his mind," wrote another named "Yudahang".

"The car driven by the victim was not a top-brand car. He must have bought the car with money earned from hard work, rather than with bribes. He almost lost his life while defending his private property," wrote Weibo user "Wuweishangjianggaoerchake".

"What kind of person is this? What kind of education did he receive and what happened while he was growing up? Why is he so inhuman? How many people are there like him?" the microblogger asked.

Many urged the police to bring the suspect to justice.

"All mobs in the disguise of patriotism causing social disorder should be arrested and given sentences," commented netizen "Jiayoujinmaobeibei" on Youku.

Earlier, local police authorities turned to microblogs and released the man's photograph to seek tips they hope may lead to the arrest of the criminal suspect.

Protests against Japan's "purchase" of part of Diaoyu Islandsflared up in dozens of Chinese cities on the weekend of Sept. 15-16 and two days later on Sept. 18, the 81st anniversary of the Japanese invasion of northeast China.

Some of the protests turned violent, resulting in damage to Japanese-brand cars and businesses and the temporary closure of several Japanese-funded companies.

The violence has prompted many celebrities to call for more peaceful protests and rational patriotic actions.

"Today the whole world is watching us. Calmness and perseverance will make us more powerful!" wrote Deng Fei, a renowned reporter of Phoenix Weekly and also the initiator of a charity project that offers free lunch for rural school children, on Sina Weibo on Sept. 18.

"I don't oppose street protests, but I firmly oppose beating, smashing and looting as it can damage the international image of China and the Chinese people," said Zhang Jifeng, a researcher at the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Zhang told Xinhua that both the Chinese and Japanese people are innocent and violence will surely deepen the misunderstanding between them.

"The world economy is in persistent downturn and so the Chinese and Japanese people should treasure the opportunities for peace and growth that did not come easily," Zhang added.