Major update after Chinese man pours hot coffee on Brisbane baby – after chilling theory emerged about why he did it

Chinese authorities have confirmed a joint taskforce will travel to Australia to investigate the alleged scalding of a nine-month-old baby at a Brisbane playground, as the international search for the suspect continues.

Nine-month-old Luka was on a picnic with his mother at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner on August 27, 2024, when a man approached them and threw a thermos of hot coffee over the infant.

The baby has undergone at least eight surgeries since the attack after he was left with horrific burns to his chest, neck and face.

The suspect, a 33-year-old Chinese national, ran from the scene and boarded a flight to China before authorities could identify him. He has not been charged.

More than 18 months on, China’s ambassador to Australia has revealed a joint taskforce will be set up to investigate the attack.

Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian confirmed yesterday that a ‘working group’ would travel from China to Brisbane to investigate the incident.

‘To talk with Australian colleagues, to see exactly what happened, how it happened, and see how both sides can work together,’ he said.

‘We’re now preparing for the working group to come, so we are serious in addressing this concern, and we’re serious in taking the necessary actions.’

Australia has no extradition arrangement with China however authorities remain confident in seeking justice.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, Queensland Police and the Australian Federal Police said they are supporting the delegation of Chinese authorities to visit Brisbane.

‘The AFP values the ongoing co-operation from Chinese authorities and their shared commitment to pursue all avenues for justice in light of the alleged offender’s location,’ the said.

‘China has extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute its citizens for conduct which occurs outside China.

‘The QPS and AFP continue to work in close partnership to explore options for progressing this matter and are pursuing all available avenues.’

Last year, Luka’s mother described the attack as a ‘deliberate act of violence.’

‘He’s received synthetic skin grafts, skin needling, and laser treatments for his burns,’ she said in a social media post.

‘Every procedure is a painful reminder of what was done to him — and of the justice that still hasn’t come.

‘That reality is as painful today as it was a year ago and is one of the hardest things to live with: knowing that the person who hurt our child walks free.

‘To those in positions of power: please don’t make it another year. Do not let this man escape accountability for hurting a child!’

Chinese media reports revealed the man had entered and exited Australia many times since 2019 – initially using a working holiday visa before later switching to a student visa.

Throughout that time, he lived in various places on Australia’s east coast and worked in a meat processing plant.

But when his latest visa application was rejected, the man’s frustration allegedly erupted in the coffee attack, Chinese media has reported.

‘Finally, he vented his anger and allegedly hurt a baby before leaving Australia,’ reported China’s New Tang Dynasty Television.

The man reportedly has ‘a brain problem’ according to a coworker who posted on a Chinese social media platform.

‘On the mainland social media ‘Little Red Book’, a Chinese person in Australia who claimed to know him, broke the news that this man has always been weird and difficult to deal with,’ added NTD Television.

‘He has been working in a meat factory with a study permit for a long time. Later, the meat factory did not require a study permit.’

The TV station alleged the man ‘probably attacked Luka to take revenge on the white people, before running away’.