A Chinese woman who was left in serious condition after trying to stop a knife attack that injured a Japanese woman and her child in Suzhou, in eastern China's Jiangsu Province on Monday has died, according to local public security authorities.

The woman, Hu Youping, 54, died on Wednesday, according to the country's official Xinhua News Agency.

Hu, a guide for a Japanese school bus, was slashed as she tried to keep a knife-wielding man from boarding the bus, which was carrying many children at the time.

Hu Youping
Hu Youping | Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, Municipal Public Security Bureau / via JIJI

The Suzhou government has decided to recognize her as a righteous and brave person.

On Friday, the Japanese Embassy in China flew its flag at half-mast.

"We deeply respect her courageous act and sincerely express our condolences," Japanese Ambassador to China Kenji Kanasugi said.