China executed a couple on Wednesday for throwing two young children from the 15th floor of a high-rise in a horrific crime that shocked the nation in 2020.What happened in 2020 in ChinaZhang Bo and his girlfriend Ye Chengchen were sentenced to death by the Supreme Court over two years ago for the murders of Zhangs daughter, 2, and son, 1.According to state media China Daily, the couple received lethal injections, marking the end of a case that outraged citizens for its sheer brutality.Zhang threw his kids off the apartment building in Chongqing on June 2, 2020, after being coerced by Ye to get rid of them. Ye saw the children as an obstacle in her relationship with Zhang.The couple had started an affair with Ye unaware that Zhang was married with two kids. After divorcing his wife Chen Meilin in February 2020, Zhang moved in with Ye but she demanded he kill his children.Backlash from NetizensHarrowing videos on social media showed a distraught Zhang banging his head on the wall and wailing uncontrollably after the incident. He initially lied to the police that the kids fell accidentally while he was sleeping.However, the truth emerged as eyewitnesses reported seeing a man and woman throw the helpless children out the window. The kids mother Chen spoke of her shock and pain at their horrible deaths.I couldnt imagine what my kids experienced falling from the 15th floor. Were they desperate Afraid a heartbroken Chen told the media.The cold-blooded murders of two innocent, defenseless toddlers prompted national revulsion and calls for harsh punishment. Zhang and Yes crime topped the discussion on Weibo this week, drawing 200 million views.How China punished the couple, who killed 2 kidsWhile China has the death penalty, public executions are rare especially for crimes not related to murder or drug trafficking.The prompt trial and execution exemplify the states zero-tolerance approach and need to be seen taking stern action amid public anger.Some analysts argue that the outrage over this case also stems from Chinas low birth rates, with children being valued more.The case left deep scars on the national psyche. As Zhang and Ye meet their end, many will feel justice has been served for two lives cut short so horrifically. But it provides small comfort to the families destroyed by the tragedy.
