2008 China Earthquake Blog

Source: http://www.qianlong.com/2008-05-24 01:14:34

Translated by Lillian Wang

The story of “Dayu” in ancient China has been a household tale that which even he had passed through his home for three times he didn’t enter to see his wife and child, as he was so dedicated to the cause of dredging cannels at the time. While in the rescue teams to the massive earthquake disaster in Mianzhu, Deyang, Sichuan Province, there are many ‘DaYu’s, who don’t go back to their homes which they have passed through for dozens of times. Some of them have their grandfathers dead, or their parents injured and being in hospital, but hardly do they have time to care; as some don’t want to drop off the first rescue line, they pretend not to have heard of their families’ matters even if their relatives or leaders come to hasten their going back home…

PLA soldiers in Hanwang Town are having a rest.

Grandfather dead, parents injured, yet hardly have time to take care

“There is a solider whose home is in this Jinhua Town. He does search and rescue work here in the morning, and is dispatched to Hongbai Town to carry out other tasks in the afternoon,” When QianlongNet was carrying out a further interview into the army, one officer from PLA ‘ Air force told the reporter that the soldier was named Li Shaojie, 21. His grandfather died unfortunately in the disaster and his parents were injured, now in the hospital. Although he has been working in the very near spot to his home, he hasn’t even mentioned going back to see his family.

Furthermore the officer indicated that not until they were landed in the airport did Li get to know that it was his hometown where they were to rescue. During the rescuing days, Li took part in the rescue work actively, regardless of hardness and tiredness. Being familiar with the local mountain terrain in Longbao Ping, despite it was far and hazard, he introduced himself there.

Li’s army is a tough one.

Sister asks the leader to hasten the soldier’s going back home, while he pretends not to have heard.

Chenjun, monitor of Class 1in Zhoukou middle team of fire fighting commando, Henan Province, was also born in Hanwang Town, Mianzhu. As soon as he got to know the earthquake disaster in Wenchuan, Sichuan Province, he initiated to join in the rescue work. According to Chen’s instructor, at that time, the commando was carrying out the rescue work in Hanwang Town, Mianzhu, and Chen’s home was just two miles away from their residence. In this massive earthquake, all six rooms of Chen’s house were collapsed. Hearing the news from his parents, Chen consoled them that there were far more families suffering more, and that they should take care of themselves. He then turned back to join the rescue work.

Every day, from the residence place to the rescue spot in Hanwang Town, he passes through his home, but never has he gone back home. Considering the Aged parents, Chen’s sister came all the way to see him and told him the detailed situation of his family, and wishes he could come back to have a look. However, without saying anything, Chen sent his sister away. Ma Xinhua, vice captain of Zhoukou branch team, also tried to persuade him to go back home to see his family, but he always replied, “It doesn’t matter. Just wait after the work finishes.”

Photo Source:Ｐｒｏｆ. Gu Jianwen

http://naowaike.blog.sohu.com/89642684.html

Prof. Gu Jianwen, went to Beichuan for the final rescue operation. Using his camera, he shared with us what he witnessed 4 weeks after the devastating earthquake stroke the once bustling city. Beichuan was a travel destination and one of the few self-administrated counties for ethnic Qiang people, who also enjoy thousands years of history and colorful culture.

Source: http://www.scol.com.cn,

Translated by Lillian Wang

At 14:28, May 12th, the moment for all Chinese to remember, the huge seismic waves from Wenchuan, Sichuan Province, collapsed one building after another in a single blink of an eye. One life after another passed away in the darkness. Till 12 o’clock on 25th , 62664 died, 358816 injured, and another 23775 were still lost. There’re 45509241 people suffered the earthquake in total.

This is a sorrowful moment for the Chinese people. The cracks on the mother earth are cuts on the hearts of the 1.3 billion Chinese siblings. Emergency in Wenchuan！Emergency in Beichuan！Emergency in Mianzhu! Emergency in Pengzhou! At the first click, the central of CPC and the State Department sent the rescue forces from every corner of the motherland to the disaster-stricken areas. People all over the country, whether they are the leaders of the Party and the Gov. who direct rescue work at the risk of being struck by the aftershocks of the earthquake, or be the worshipful soldiers to save the sufferers and to open the traffic at the risk of their lives; whether be the medical workers who persist in their duties day and night, or be the volunteers who devote all themselves to offering help to the sufferers in the area, breathe together, live together, and support together. They are together embracing the disaster with nameless confidence and fortitude.

What we see is the long queue waiting for blood donation from thousands away ; what we see is the generosity from Chinese descendents all over the world to get through the difficulty; what we see is the persistent fight against the King of Terrors under sand and rocks. 50hours,95hours,125hours,164hours,196hours, they are continuing the life miracles.

So much touching scenes show in our eyes, impress on our minds, and shock on our hearts. Let’s exert our maximum courage and power to face both the cruel reality and the hopeful future ! we’re hand in hand, heart with heart. Let’s build up the confidence and power to reconstruct our homeland and stand the Chinese backbones to fight against the disaster!

May 18th , a wasteland in Dujiangyan, the disaster-stricken area. A clock stills its time at 14:28 forever.

(Photographed by Chen Xie from Xinhua News Agency)

On May 13th the disabled from Ningxia arms and legs disability association are donating for the earthquake-stricken areas.

(Photographed by Wang Peng from Xinhua News Agency)

On May 13th , the rescuers are continue working in Juyuan middle school despite of the rainy weather in Juyuan town, Dujiangyuan city ,Sichuan province. This is a picture showing a mother rushing forward when seeing her child’s dead body carried out.

(Photographed by Wang Jianghua from Xinhua News Agency)

On May 13th , the rescue soldiers taking the risks of meeting with collapses and aftershock, overcome donzens of difficulties to save injured residents, forming a shining life-saving line.

(Photographed by Yang Lei from Xinhua News Agency)

(courtesy Blackmirror from ireport)

Chengdu’s life after the quake is in a very strange way as after shocks come any time.

1. The standard greeting changed from “How are doing?” to “Where are you sleeping tonight?”
2. Instead of asking “where do you live?”, people ask “Which floor do you live?”
3. Every time when after shock is over, some like to use maximizing mirror to check if any openings on the wall.
4. Everybody agreed that living in a second floor apartment is too high.
5. Extremly dislike the people with the habit of shaking legs while sitting with others.
6. Hate people’s cell phone in vibration mode.
7. Very nervous when the house is shaken. But get more nervous when the shakes stopped, Because worry if the quake is accumulating and more are coming. So, either shaking or not shaking making some nervous all the time.
8. Once have a minute, some will look out of the window and start to count how many seconds needed to run down to the open ground outside.
9. Pack the most important things together and keep the pack within 1 meter nearby, even when asleep.
10. Very inconfident about self feelings. Keep on checking with others, “Is there any shakes a second ago?”
11. Keep on checking the glass of water on the table, in almost every five minutes.
12. First thing greeting coworkers in office is “Were you waked up by the shake last night?”
13. Suddenly getting very interested in Geology.
14. Suddenly getting very interested in survival and first aid skills.
15. Sleep with cloths on now and wondering “Should I take off my shoes?”
16. Get a new habit of watching TV news every evening and get into tears every time.

Source: http://blog.ifeng.com.sixxs.org/article/1472718.html

Author: Qin Jianzhong,

Translated by Yang Xianda 

After the Sichuan earthquake, tens of thousands of PLA soldiers have made great contributions to rescuing the people in disaster areas. Their green camouflage coats are undoubtedly the most beautiful scenery.

Not only foreign journalists, but also foreign rescuers are deeply impressed and moved by our brave soldiers. Two Japanese female rescuers who faced our PLA soldiers for the first time told the Japanese media that they were highly impressed by the PLA soldiers’ smile, after they came back home.

The “Guang Ming Ribao SDN.BHD” of Malaysia reviewed for the Sichuan earthquake, saying that western media were surprised to find out the efficiency of the PRC government as well as the self-discipline of local people suffering from the disaster during the interview. They were even more surprised to find out that the tens of thousands of PLA soldiers were all weaponless.

In China, the PLA soldiers are always weaponless when entering the disaster area except for the necessary equipment for rescue, no matter what disaster they are facing: flood, snowstorm, or even the recent Sichuan earthquake. The self-discipline of the local people makes weapons unnecessary. Even if the minority impinges others’ property, the self-discipline of the local people is enough to solve the problem.

Chinese people are extremely virtuous, tolerant, self-restrained and diligent. During a live interview from CCTV, a female reporter told a victim passing by to take care. However, the victim paused immediately and told the reporter their countless thankfulness and gratitude, which moved her to tears.

Someone thinks the action of kneeling down shows the fatuity of Chinese people. In fact, things are anything but that. The action of kneeling down shows the highest gratitude of them. They will never kneel down to anyone unless they are really thankful. Deep in their heart, the PLA soldiers are the guardians of people. As such, facing the destructive disaster, the PLA soldiers will never abandon them. Just as a pupil buried in ruins said when waiting for rescue, there was no need to be panic, for he was sure the PLA soldiers would never leave him alone.

The weaponless PLA soldiers surprised, even frightened, western media. If such people and army of China get united, there won’t be many countries which are more powerful than she is. And that’s why some westerners were frightened by the modernization of China so much. For they know, once the PRC government makes up its mind to solve the problem of corruption, unfair allotment of property as well as other social issues concerned by Chinese people, every single Chinese people will be able to fulfill his democratic potential and intelligence to make his motherland more powerful.