A tour guide in southwest China stabbed 20 tourists and locals in an attack blamed on a row over kickbacks from souvenir shops, Xinhua news agency said today.
Xu Minchao (25) was leading 40 tourists through Lijiang, a World Heritage-listed tourist destination in mountainous Yunnan province, on Sunday when he suddenly ran into a souvenir shop and demanded a knife, Xinhua said.
"Not realising the man was ready to kill, a girl in the shop gave him one and was stabbed immediately in the arm," Xinhua said.
Mr Xu ran back out onto the street and stabbed four residents and 15 tourists; two boys were seriously injured, including a 15-year-old who remained in critical condition in hospital after suffering brain injuries, Xinhua said.
Some 20 police and volunteers caught Xu after he fled into a local home, Xinhua added.
Mr Xu's attacks were spurred by an argument with a local guide regarding kickbacks from souvenir shops, Xinhua said, citing residents.
In China, tour guides' incomes are often derived solely from commissions obtained from tourists' purchases at designated gift shops and restaurants.