Police in China have detained a suspect in the stabbing attack on four professors from Iowa's Cornell College who were teaching at a university in Jilin.
A 55-year-old man with the surname Cui is in custody, officials said on Tuesday.
At a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters he believed the attack in Jilin's Beishan Park was an isolated incident and noted the investigation is ongoing.
The State Department announced it was aware of the stabbings and is currently monitoring the situation.
The shocking events come as both Beijing and Washington are seeking to expand people-to-people exchanges to help strengthen relations amid tensions over trade and contentious international issues such as Taiwan, the South China Sea, and the war in Ukraine.
News of the incident was suppressed in China, where the government maintains control over information considered "sensitive information."
Cornell spokesperson Jen Visser said in an email to The Associated Press that the college was still gathering information about what happened.
Chinese President Xi Jinping recently introduced a plan to invite 50,000 young Americans to China in the next five years; however, he noted that the travel advisory issued by the US State Department has discouraged Americans from visiting China.
Citing several reasons that could prevent Americans from leaving the country, the State Department has issued a Level 3 travel advisory-the second-highest warning level-for mainland China.
It urges Americans to "reconsider travel" to China.
Some American universities have suspended their China programs due to the travel advisory.
"We believe that the isolated incident will not disrupt normal cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries," said Lin, Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
Cui had been walking in a public park on Monday when he collided with a foreigner and stabbed him along with three others.
The suspect also stabbed a Chinese local when attempting to intervene, according to Chinese police.
The four individuals were identified as instructors from Cornell College who were teaching at Beihua University.
They were transported to a local hospital for treatment, having suffered minor wounds.
Iowa State Representative Adam Zabner released a statement on behalf of his brother, David Zabner, who was one of the individuals stabbed during the attack in Jilin.
Adam expressed his family's gratitude in a post on Instagram, writing,
"I spoke to David a few minutes ago; he is recovering from his injuries and doing well," adding that his brother was grateful for the care he received at a hospital.
