Today We Are All People of Zhouqu: National Mourning for the Victims of the Zhouqu Mudslide

To express the deep condolences of the people of all ethnic groups across the country for the victims of the catastrophic mountain torrents and mudslides in Zhouqu, Gansu, the State Council has decided to hold a national day of mourning on August 15, 2010. National flags will be flown at half-mast across the country and at embassies and consulates abroad, and public entertainment activities will be suspended.

At approximately 22:00 on August 7, heavy rainfall suddenly struck Zhouqu County in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Mudslides descended from Luojiayu and Sanyanyu to the north of the county seat. This sudden and catastrophic mudslide disaster has separated more than a thousand people from their loved ones by the divide of life and death. Among them were the elderly and the young, those in the prime of their thirties and forties, youths in their budding years, and infants still waiting to be fed. They left suddenly and under tragic circumstances. According to the latest report from the Zhouqu Flood Control and Disaster Relief Headquarters, as of 16:00 on the 13th, the catastrophic mountain torrents and mudslides in Zhouqu have resulted in 1,156 deaths and 588 missing persons. These distressing figures strike the heart of every person at every moment. Since August 7, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council have gone all out to resist and provide relief for the disaster. On the occasion of the seventh day since the mudslide disaster occurred, the State Council established a national day of mourning to commemorate and mourn the departed souls. This is not only a sign of respect for life but also shines with the brilliance of a people-oriented spirit, reaching every corner of the disaster area and warming the hearts of everyone across the nation.

National mourning interprets China’s high level of respect for human life. From the sudden occurrence of the mudslide to the subsequent rescue efforts, from the central government to local authorities, and from professionals to ordinary citizens, countless helping hands have ensured that various rescue operations were carried out in a timely, rapid, and orderly manner. Rescue personnel have remained at the front lines day and night, refusing to abandon or give up in the face of life, properly relocating 9,852 affected people and providing mobile resettlement for more than 8,300 others. "The dignity of life is above all else" has become a consensus among the people of the entire country, resonating in every part of the motherland. At the same time, it has further inspired the confidence of the people in the disaster area and the People’s Liberation Army to work together through the storm, composing one song of life after another.

National mourning carries the deep friendship of the people across the country for the people of Zhouqu. On the second day after the disaster, General Secretary Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao issued important instructions regarding the rescue work in Zhouqu, Gansu. At 12:00 noon on the 8th, Premier Wen Jiabao led officials from relevant departments of the State Council to the disaster-stricken area to personally direct the rescue work on the front lines. During the seven days and nights since the disaster occurred, countless sons and daughters of China have felt the pain as if it were their own, actively donating money and goods. From the media to reality, from cities to rural areas, and from the central government to local levels, heart-warming words and actions such as "Today, we are all people of Zhouqu" and "Zhouqu is unyielding" have not only warmed the land of China but also moved the world.

National mourning highlights the state’s reverence for individual dignity and life. The Central Committee and the State Council have attached great importance to disaster relief work, not only using the fastest speed to save people, resist the disaster, and handle the aftermath, but also providing consolation payments to the relatives of the victims. By using the best medical care, the most excellent experts, and the strongest guarantees, they have created a stable and warm "wartime environment" for the people in the disaster area. At the same time, post-disaster reconstruction has been placed on the important agenda—local departments will strive to complete the restoration and reconstruction of collapsed houses before the onset of winter this year, or by June next year at the latest. These are all true reflections of being "people-oriented," shining with the brilliant light of humanitarianism and the principle that the interests of the people are above all else.

August 15 is the National Day of Mourning. Let us gather our hearts, bow our heads in silent mourning, and let the brilliance of humanity shine forever on the land of our motherland. Let the souls of those deceased compatriots rest in peace. At the same time, let us use our actions to tell our compatriots in Zhouqu: we will not abandon you, we will not give up, and you should not be discouraged or depressed. Let Zhouqu never yield! This is not only a consolation to the souls of those who perished in the mudslide but also a firm declaration to the people of the entire country and a solemn promise to the world.

Reproduced from: http://opinion.nfdaily.cn/content/2010-08/14/content_14834558.htm