By Jaime FlorCruzCNN Beijing Bureau Chief
北京,中国(CNN)--中国历史上最具破坏性的一刻让这个超过10亿人口,由横跨5个时区的不同民族组成的庞大国家凝聚起来,至少是暂时的。(图)成都的天府广场的集会上,数千人高喊“中国加油”。
一场7.9级的大地震夷平了中国西南部四川省的大部分地区 ,从那之后,这个国家涌起了一片爱国主义和热衷慈善的热潮,而周一,数百万中国人停止一切活动默哀三分钟使这种热潮更具体化了。
在默哀活动结束的时候,“中国加油”的呼声在天安门广场爆发出来,而就在这里,1989年留下了数以百计的人命。(删)
针对政府抗议示威的日子已经过去了,民众的想法也早已改变。
一个学生说:“中国人必须团结起来,我们中国人一定能行!”
周一一些参与游行的人舞动着中国国旗,还有一些人举着“重建四川”等标语。
地方媒体大量报道的死亡和破坏性等可怕的图像触发了爱国主义精神和慈善热情。
中国人常说“一人有难,八方支援”。
在北京,政府官员,演艺圈人士,运动员和艺术家们纷纷参加了一个“马拉松式”的音乐会进行现场募捐并呼吁民众进行更多的捐助。
这次义演征集到了15亿1千万人民币,大概2亿1千6百万美元。
更多的捐助还源源不断的通过其他渠道注入。
根据民政部的消息,截止到周日,中国全国已经向地震救援捐赠了超过49亿的资金和物资。
在中国的电视直播中,民营企业家们承诺为幸存者捐款并为他们筹建免费住房,这在国内慈善活动中并不常见。截止上周六,中国企业的物资捐赠已经超过了35亿元(5亿美元)。
“传统上中国人不会与陌生人共同分享。他们会在朋友和家庭中间彼此分享,但不是陌生人。”中国专家张大兴(音)。
在北京一家名为“书虫”的书店,当地居民捐助的物资会被很迅速的运往受灾地区。
商店的老板Alex Pearson说:“我估计大约有350个箱子,里面有小孩衣服,成人服装,很多睡袋,帐篷,压缩食品,鞋,诸如此类的东西。”
北京地区的学生们纷纷走上街头展开募捐。
“虽然我们不能去四川去救援,但我们仍然可以通过捐款来帮助他们。”一个学生说。
分析人士认为这次空前的慈善活动部分是因为官方对这次的紧急状况反应迅速。
中国媒体反复重播中国总理温家宝安慰幸存者的画面。很多人相信这鼓舞了中国民众去尽全力提供帮助。
与此同时,中国以一副新形象出现在世界面前。
“地震改善了中国的国际形象,从一个压迫者或是集权政府变成了一个自然灾难和人类惨剧的幸存者,”文芳唐(音),匹兹堡大学的政治学教授这样分析。
中国人,至少现在,在大地震之后民众齐心协力,更加团结更富有爱心。
BEIJING, China (CNN) -- One of the most destructive moments in Chinese history is bringing together -- at least temporarily -- this vast nation of more than a billion people, made up of disparate ethnic groups stretching across five time zones.
（图）Thousands chant "China, keep moving" during a rally in Chengdu's Tianfu Square.
1 of 2more photos » When millions of Chinese paused for three minutes of silence Monday, they personified the surge in patriotism and charity that has swept this country since a massive 7.9 magnitude earthquake leveled large sections of Sichuan province in southwestern China.
Moments after the observance ended, chants of "Go, China, Go!" broke out in Tiananmen Square, where a Chinese military crackdown in 1989 left hundreds dead.
Sentiments have changed since the days of the anti-government protests.
"As Chinese we must be united," said a student. "We Chinese can do it!"
Some of Monday's demonstrators waved Chinese flags while others hoisted banners with slogans like "Rebuild Sichuan!" iReport.com: Thousands rally in Chengdu
Horrific scenes of death and devastation -- covered heavily by the local media -- have triggered a surge of patriotism and charity.
"When one is in trouble," the Chinese say, "help comes from all directions."
In Beijing, Chinese officials, entertainers, athletes and artists attended a marathon concert, giving donations and calling on the public to give more.
The benefit concert raised more than 1.51 billion yuan, or $216 million.
More donations are pouring in through other channels. Watch report on how quake has united Chinese »
As of Sunday, Chinese nationals had donated more than 4.9 billion yuan ($700 million) in cash and goods for earthquake relief, according to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Live on Chinese TV, local businesses pledged to give money and build free housing for victims -- an unusual display of civic charity. As of last Saturday, Chinese enterprises had donated more than 3.5 billion yuan ($501 million) in cash and relief goods.
"Traditionally the Chinese people don't share as much with strangers. They share a great deal among friends and family, but not with strangers," according to China analyst Zhang Daxing.
At The Bookworm, a Beijing bookstore, residents drop off relief goods that are promptly shipped to disaster areas.
"My guess would be about 350 boxes, which include kid's clothes, adult clothes, a lot of sleeping bags, tents, dried food, shoes, that type of stuff," said store owner Alex Pearson.
Students in the Chinese capital have even taken to the street to collect donations.
"Although we cannot go to Sichuan to save them, we can still help them with donated money," one student said.
Analysts say this unprecedented display of charity is partly in response to the quick action already taken by Chinese officials to the emergency.
The Chinese media have repeatedly shown Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao comforting survivors. Many believe this has inspired Chinese residents to do what they can to help.
Meantime, a new image of China is emerging around the world.
"The earthquake changed China's international image from an oppressor or an authoritarian government to a victim of natural disaster and human tragedy," said Wenfang Tang, professor of political science at the University of Pittsburgh.
The Chinese, at least for now, are more united as a people and more charitable, as citizens pull together in the wake of a massive earthquake.
（图）Thousands chant "China, keep moving" during a rally in Chengdu's Tianfu Square.
1 of 2more photos » When millions of Chinese paused for three minutes of silence Monday, they personified the surge in patriotism and charity that has swept this country since a massive 7.9 magnitude earthquake leveled large sections of Sichuan province in southwestern China.
Moments after the observance ended, chants of "Go, China, Go!" broke out in Tiananmen Square, where a Chinese military crackdown in 1989 left hundreds dead.
Sentiments have changed since the days of the anti-government protests.
"As Chinese we must be united," said a student. "We Chinese can do it!"
Some of Monday's demonstrators waved Chinese flags while others hoisted banners with slogans like "Rebuild Sichuan!" iReport.com: Thousands rally in Chengdu
Horrific scenes of death and devastation -- covered heavily by the local media -- have triggered a surge of patriotism and charity.
"When one is in trouble," the Chinese say, "help comes from all directions."
In Beijing, Chinese officials, entertainers, athletes and artists attended a marathon concert, giving donations and calling on the public to give more.
The benefit concert raised more than 1.51 billion yuan, or $216 million.
More donations are pouring in through other channels. Watch report on how quake has united Chinese »
As of Sunday, Chinese nationals had donated more than 4.9 billion yuan ($700 million) in cash and goods for earthquake relief, according to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Live on Chinese TV, local businesses pledged to give money and build free housing for victims -- an unusual display of civic charity. As of last Saturday, Chinese enterprises had donated more than 3.5 billion yuan ($501 million) in cash and relief goods.
"Traditionally the Chinese people don't share as much with strangers. They share a great deal among friends and family, but not with strangers," according to China analyst Zhang Daxing.
At The Bookworm, a Beijing bookstore, residents drop off relief goods that are promptly shipped to disaster areas.
"My guess would be about 350 boxes, which include kid's clothes, adult clothes, a lot of sleeping bags, tents, dried food, shoes, that type of stuff," said store owner Alex Pearson.
Students in the Chinese capital have even taken to the street to collect donations.
"Although we cannot go to Sichuan to save them, we can still help them with donated money," one student said.
Analysts say this unprecedented display of charity is partly in response to the quick action already taken by Chinese officials to the emergency.
The Chinese media have repeatedly shown Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao comforting survivors. Many believe this has inspired Chinese residents to do what they can to help.
Meantime, a new image of China is emerging around the world.
"The earthquake changed China's international image from an oppressor or an authoritarian government to a victim of natural disaster and human tragedy," said Wenfang Tang, professor of political science at the University of Pittsburgh.
The Chinese, at least for now, are more united as a people and more charitable, as citizens pull together in the wake of a massive earthquake.
没有评论:
发表评论