A TRIAL date has been set for a man charged with murdering a 16-year-old girl who died following an incident at her family’s Chinese restaurant.

Chun Xu, 31, is accused of murdering Wenjing Lin – also known as Wenjing Xu – as well as attempting to murder a 38-year-old man in Treorchy, on March 5.

The defendant, of no fixed abode, appeared before Cardiff Crown Court on Friday afternoon.

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He was assisted by an interpreter and spoke only to confirm his details.

Xu did not enter a plea to the two charges against him and was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing in the case on March 26.

Judge Daniel Williams listed the case for a trial, expected to last for three weeks, on November 1.

“I am going to adjourn this case,” the judge said.

“The defendant will be remanded into custody.”

South Wales Police announced on Wednesday that Xu had been charged with the two offences.

The defendant first appeared before Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

It is understood he is not related to Wenjing.

Officers were called to reports of an attack at the Blue Sky takeaway in Baglan Street in the village of Ynyswen at around midday on March 5.

Wenjing’s death was confirmed following the incident, in which two men in their 30s were also injured.

On Wednesday, Treorchy Comprehensive School paid tribute to Wenjing and described her as “kind, passionate and ambitious”.

The school said Wenjing was a “very responsible pupil” who combined her academic ambitions with supporting her family business.

In a statement released last week, the teenager’s family said: “Wenjing had a very gentle soul, she was a very quiet person. Wenjing helped the whole family, working in the family takeaway.

“She enjoyed school and worked very hard. She was loved by her family.”

Xu will next appear at Cardiff Crown Court on March 26.