Authorities in China have announced that a collaborative taskforce will head to Australia to probe the reported scalding of a nine-month-old infant at a Brisbane playground, as the hunt for the suspect remains ongoing.

On August 27, 2024, nine-month-old Luka was enjoying a picnic with his mother at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner when a man approached them and poured hot coffee from a thermos onto the baby.

Since the attack, Luka has endured at least eight surgeries due to severe burns that affected his chest, neck, and face.

The alleged assailant, a 33-year-old citizen of China, fled the scene and managed to board a flight to China before law enforcement could identify him. He has yet to face any charges.

Now, more than a year and a half later, China’s ambassador to Australia has announced the formation of a joint taskforce dedicated to investigating the incident.

Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian stated yesterday that a ‘working group’ would be dispatched from China to Brisbane to delve into the matter further.

‘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.’

The 33-year-old man responsible  was caught on CCTV footage leaving the park before boarding a plane to China

Luka suffered serious burns to 60 per cent of his body after the sickening attack

Luka’s mum said every procedure her son has endured is a ‘painful reminder of what was done to him – and of the justice that still hasn’t come’

His mum said he has a long road to recovery ashe heals from the emotional, mental and physical damage caused by the attack

The suspect allegedly drove to Sydney before boarding a flight out of Australia on August 31

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’.