Overview

• Three teenagers have been detained in China for the murder of a 13-year-old classmate, sparking a national debate on juvenile crime and the plight of 'left-behind children'.
• The victim, identified by his surname Wang, was found beaten to death in an abandoned greenhouse, with his body disfigured beyond recognition.
• All suspects and the victim were 'left-behind children', a term for kids raised by grandparents in rural areas while their parents work in cities.
• The case has drawn over 1 billion views on Chinese social media, with many calling for severe punishment of the perpetrators.
• The tragedy highlights the broader issue of the neglect and vulnerabilities of 'left-behind children' in China, who number nearly 67 million according to 2020 census data.