The first major development has emerged in the search for a man who allegedly scalded a baby with hot coffee in a Brisbane park before fleeing the country more than a year ago.
After months of silence from authorities, ambassador Xiao Qian revealed on Wednesday a team of Chinese investigators would travel to Australia to work with local police.
The 33-year-old accused attacker allegedly dumped a Thermos of coffee on the nine-month-old boy at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner on August 27, 2024, before fleeing to his home country via Sydney.
“I’m not sure if I should announce this at this moment, but there’s going to be a working group from China coming to Brisbane,” the ambassador told reporters in Canberra.
“[It will] investigate [the case and] talk with Australian colleagues to see what exactly happened, how it happened, and how both sides can work together as a follow-up.
“We are serious in addressing this concern, we are serious in taking the necessary action as a follow-up.”
Baby Luka was with his mother and her friend when attacked. The man then allegedly jogged about half a kilometre to the Apostolic Church of Queensland in Annerley, where he changed his clothes and caught a rideshare car to the CBD.
He fled to China four days later via Sydney, just hours before police confirmed his identity.
China does not have an extradition treaty with Australia, and legal experts have previously said the most optimistic outlook was the accused may face jail time in his home country.
“It was out of nowhere … I don’t even know who he is or why this happened,” the injured boy’s mother previously told this masthead. “We were all traumatised.
“Luckily, [my son] is young, and he probably won’t remember any of this, but we will, and this is something we’re going to have to carry forever.
“I don’t think it’s acceptable that a person … gets away with it. Luka deserves justice.”
Ruwan Kalu was sitting at home at the time when he heard screams. Seconds later, his CCTV system captured a man running past his front door.
The footage was widely circulated after the attack, with police alleging it showed the offender.
“All of a sudden there was a screaming noise and the man was running,” Kalu said at the time.
“I don’t know why it happened. It’s really weird.”
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
