ZHUHAI, China (Reuters) -Authorities in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai removed wreaths, candles and bottles of Chinese alcohol, offerings laid at the scene of the deadliest mass killing in the country in a decade, as the government scrambled to respond and censor online outrage.

Online discussion about China's deadliest mass killing in years was being censored Wednesday as authorities in a southern city cleared candles and flowers from the memorial to the 35 people dead.

President Xi Jinping has called for strict punishment of the perpetrator, about whom authorities have provided little information.