Overview

• Local police are issuing rapid statements that omit critical details in recent school-linked crashes, listing only injury totals with the driver detained.
• State internet censors have removed independent news posts and graphic images of vehicle attack scenes from social media platforms.
• Informal outlets including Caixin have been the only source of casualty confirmations in the June 26 crash in Miyun district.
• Analysts contend the government’s strict information controls aim to forestall copycat attacks and conceal local authority shortcomings.
• The clampdown follows a November directive from Xi Jinping to prevent mass vehicle attacks after a 35-fatality crash in Zhuhai.