Bondi stabbings: Chinese student Cheng Yixuan set to wed this year

Cheng Yixuan was a Chinese international student studying at the University of Sydney. She was reportedly on the phone with her fiance in China ‘a few minutes’ before she was stabbed.

Cheng Yixuan, a Chinese student, has been named as the sixth victim of the Bondi Junction stabbing attack. Picture: Australia Today App

Chinese international student Cheng Yixuan has been identified as one of the six victims of Bondi Junction mass murderer Joel Cauchi – the last of the six to be publicly identified.

Anthony Albanese confirmed her identity on Monday morning.

“She was a Chinese national studying here who’s lost her life,” the Prime Minister told Triple M radio.

This was confirmed by the Chinese embassy later in the day.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the unfortunate death of one Chinese student and the serious injury of another,” a statement read.

“We extend our deep condolences to the victims and our heartfelt sympathies to their families, and wish early recovery to the injured. We will continue to maintain close communication with the Australian side and do our utmost to provide necessary assistance to the families of the Chinese victims.”

Ms Cheng was studying a master of economics at the University of Sydney and is understood to have had no family in Australia.

University vice chancellor Mark Scott in an all-staff email on Monday said he was “shocked and saddened by the senseless violence”.

“This morning, police confirmed that a University of Sydney student was one of the victims who died in this tragic incident,” Professor Scott said.

“On behalf of the university, I extend my sincere condolences to the student’s family and friends. We are working closely with the Chinese consulate and the student’s family to assist in any way we can.”

Professor Scott later laid flowers for Ms Cheng at a memorial on campus where other students had placed flowers, cards, and candles.

A few students told The Australian they did not know Ms Cheng but felt a personal connection.

Chinese-language media outlet Australia Today App reported Ms Cheng on Saturday had just finished exams and was shopping on the fourth floor of Westfield Bondi Junction.

She was talking on the phone with her fiance in China until just a “few minutes” before the stabbings began, the report said.

“She happily talked to me on the phone at around 3 o’clock in the afternoon,” the translated report quotes her fiance. “She even tried on clothes for me to see.”

After hanging up, he learned the Bondi Junction stabbings had occurred in Australia and his “heart skipped a beat”. The pair were due to be wed after Ms Cheng’s graduation this year.

The Australian understands Ms Cheng’s family touched down in Australia on Monday.