A vocal Guangdong whistle-blower suffered serious injuries from brutal assaults on Monday in an act of possible retaliation for uncovering official corruption and other social issues, Chinese media reported.
The assault happened while he was driving with his six-year-old son, when another vehicle bumped them from behind.
When Li stepped out of vehicle to check what had happened, three men jumped out from the other car and attacked him. They first poured sulphuric acid on his back, then slashed both his wrists and right eye before running from the scene.
Li did not dare run away from the attack because his son was still in the car, he later said, recalling the frightening moment. His son, however, was left untouched in the incident.
Li was later taken to hospital and sent to the operating room for hours.
Doctors said Li had completely lost sight in his right eye and was uncertain whether his hand would fully recover after two fingers were severed. His burn wound from the acid attack extended from his back to almost his left ear.