In the aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake, China’s image has changed drastically overseas, and sympathy pours in from all corners. The country is re-energized by the tragedy.If China’s image has been that of a rapidly expanding economic empire, the earthquake in Sichuan has softened that impression, giving the country a vulnerable touch.After the 7.9 magnitude earthquake on May 12, the Chinese government for the first time set up a nation-wide three-day mourning period to commemorate the death of more than 40,000 victims.
Starting 528 at 2:28 p.m., exactly one week after the earthquake, all of China mourned for three minutes. For three days, flags were lowered, public entertainments are restrained, and the Olympic torch relay was stopped.The Asian Times and other media based outside of China extensively covered the “National Mourning Day” initiative. The Asian Times reported that Chinese scholars started an Internet petition pushing for mourning and cutting off Olympics celebrations. The Chinese government embraced the suggestion, and at the same time, keeps its full-gear succoring efforts. The international community and media monitor China’s deeds and comment favorably, although praise from the outside is not the top agenda of the Chinese government and is of little interest to average Chinese people.
The Chinese are still busy trying to save lives, even though the effort becomes more and more futile as time passes. Over 2,000 taxi drivers from Chengdu city volunteered to transport water, quilts, and tents to the epicenter – 62 miles away from their home city – for disaster relief despite skyrocketing gas prices. Beijing’s blood banks were stocked overnight by residents who waited for up to seven hours in lines on Beijing streets to donate their blood. Although they doubt the seriousness of the United States government’s half million USD donation for China’s earthquake relief, the Chinese are no longer angry about CNN’s coverage, which has been negative regarding the Olympics torch run.
Instead, they circulated a CNN Story on Chinese websites and blogs.CNN interviewed a local party secretary in Chenjiaba of Sichuan Province. The party leader had been calm answering questions, but “broke down in tears” when asked how many people had died in his area. He said 500 people have lost their lives, including his parents, wife and two children. Then he rushed back to direct the rescue campaign.An entrepreneur, who survived the 7.8-magnitude Tangshan earthquake in north China 32 years ago as a child, donated 100,000,000 RMB (about $14,300,000 US dollars) to Sichuan. Taiwanese, from politicians to average citizens, got together to support Sichuan.
In a disaster relief TV special that aired across the world, Taiwanese mentioned their earthquake nine years ago, now known as 9.21. They shared their sympathy with Sichuan, who suffered worse than the Taiwanese.The United Morning News based in Singapore said in an op-ed that the title of prime minister in China is much more than the head of government.
When people refer to “prime minister” in China, they have a role model in mind – former Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai. He has been widely recognized as a leader who was close to his people and had their trust. The United Morning News said although China has better equipment and modern technology to rescue people from the earthquake, the standard for its prime minister as a loving father has never changed. The current 66-year-old Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao fulfilled the expectation by flying immediately into the emergency area and sending more than half of the State Department into Sichuan.
Compassion, no longer economic growth, Olympics or protests, have become the main theme in China. The whole nation is swept up by the tragedy of the earthquake. A mother bent her body over her three-month baby to protect him when the earthquake struck.
When rescuers dug her body out, her baby was alive, the mother’s cell phone was beside him. “Dear baby, if you live, remember that I love you,” the screen read.To help kids who lost parents in the earthquake, the city government of Guiyang, not far from Sichuan Province, started a program named “Guiyang Mom.” In two days, over then 10,000 women signed up to adopt.
The Voice of Germany reported Chinese soldiers risked their lives to save foreign tourists. After being rescued by local people, some tourists started helping with the rescue efforts as well.The Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV critic Zhenhai Qiu wrote that the earthquake could have a positive impact on China. Just as hardships could build character, according to an old Chinese saying, “Trials and tribulations serve to revitalize a nation.”
Posted by New America Media, Jun Wang
Source :http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=4dd4f38bbd6828ebe6528851edd9dc98
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