BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) -- An 8.0-magnitude
earthquake hit Wenchuan, in China's southwestern Sichuan Province, on May 12,
2008, causing an enormous loss to life and property.
In the past year following the devastating
earthquake, reconstruction work in the affected region has been underway in
earnest. Various aid, along with endless expressions of love and good wishes
from the international community and overseas Chinese, has been flowing into the
region.
The aid represents a kind of special support that
shows broad strength in countering disasters. It also acts as an emotional
bridge that links China and the rest of the world to enhance mutual
understanding, and is seen as a crystallization of humanitarianism that reflects
love across borders.
The deadly earthquake caused grave losses. Searching
for survivors became the top priority. Foreign rescue and medical teams from
countries like Russia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore joined their Chinese
counterparts and worked with them side by side in rescue operations in defiance
of the dangers caused by the frequent aftershocks. Their humanitarian spirit and
professionalism deeply touched the Chinese people, which gave them confidence
and new hope.
For its part, the aid from overseas provided timely
assistance to the Chinese people, just as a Chinese idiom says "sending charcoal
in snowy weather."
Official figures showed that more than 170 countries
and regions, and over 20 international organizations offered more than4.4
billion yuan (about 644 million U.S. dollars) in cash aid and a large amount of
relief materials, which has been seen as precious support to the Chinese
people's relief efforts.
Overseas Chinese, regardless of their gender or age,
also extended profound sympathies and provided valuable assistance to their
motherland. They rushed to make charitable donations, including cash and goods,
and did all they could to help the victims of the earthquake.
The care and support from overseas shored up the
Chinese people's quake relief and rescue efforts and transformed it into a
spiritual power which resonated between the Chinese and people of the world.
Just as Chinese President Hu Jintao put it, the
Chinese people deeply appreciated the enormous support and precious aid given by
the international community.
For those who supported, and are concerned about
China's earthquake relief and reconstruction, the Chinese people will remember
them forever.
Meanwhile, the Chinese people too have not failed to
support others in times of distress and disasters.
Shortly after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami,
Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the Nargis tropical cyclone, as well as the
A/H1N1 flu at present, the Chinese government and people have also extended a
timely helping hand.
The back-and-forth help is noble and heart moving. It
also shows the coordination and understanding of mankind.
Early this year, 100 quake zone kids visited the
Philippines. After their unforgettable rehabilitation trip, they wrote a letter
of gratitude to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, saying they would always
cherish the friendship and warm hospitality they experienced during their visit.
A reporter with The Independent newspaper who
recently returned to Beichuan, close to the epicenter of the 8.0-magnitude
tremor, wrote an article entitled "Courage amid the rubble" to describe the
present living conditions of the affected people.
All the various visits and stories have drawn a vivid
picture of the indomitable spirit of the people. It is evidence of an unswerving
recovery and the bonds of friendship between different countries and peoples.
The picture is in sharp contrast to the destruction
and suffering caused by the earthquake. It represents faith and power that can
be achieved when people unite to help each other.
This faith and power will continue to converge and
encourage mankind to face up to a variety of challenges for the sake of a
long-lasting peaceful, prosperous and harmonious world.
Special Report: 1st Anniversary of Wenchuan
Earthquake
