Black Week in China
May 19, 2008 3 Comments
When my cousin Yei text-messaged me last week about an earthquake in Sichuan, I never expect the seriousness of this incident. I was in Singapore, setting up a booth for my client. And when I returned to Shanghai on Friday, I went back to my work. I have no chance to read about the earthquake or have any idea how bad it was. Not until today.
China touched my heart today. I have never seen a nation so united, so full of compassion. The power of their unity in this dark hours moved my heart. I can never understand their loss and tears. But I can feel their grieve. It is one of those rare moments when you see a nation together. Being a foreigner here, I admire their love for their country and their people. I felt so small in their presence.
At 2:28pm today, China observed a 3-minute silence. My colleagues stood still for 3 minutes. One by one, they stood up and bowed their head in silence. It was a sight that I can never erased from my mind. Their silence was loud and powerful. I felt so guilty (cos’ I was in the midst of my presentation call with a client). The strength of their silence empowered my teleconversation. It was almost impossible to even whisper into the phone. I have to cut my client short and hanged up the phone. I felt so bad about my disruptive conversation that I sank low on my chair and observed the silence.
Just now, I had dinner with my cousin, Yei. He told me about a fund-raising TV show on Sunday. When he was talking, I could see the sad emotions in his eyes. He was on the verge of tears. It was very emotional for me to see my "cold-hearted" cousin displayed so much emotions in his speech.
Back at home, I watched today’s footages on my TV screen. For that 3 minutes, every car, train and people on the street freezed their steps to observe the silence. A very touching sight indeed. (All karaokes, cinemas, concerts, entertainment joints are closed for 3 days) This is what makes us human. It is a side of China that I never knew. The Chinese people (no matter how materialistic they can be or how uncivilised and ill-mannered they can be), is one united nation. They love their country like no other. Everyone I know is pouring his/her heart and effort to raise funds and donations for the 4 million homeless victims. (Feli and Tracy prepared 2 big bags of blankets and clothes for donations). At this point, there are about 71,000 dead or missing people out there.
Sigh…it is really heart-breaking to watch any news today. Even the big websites are turning black.
Compared with Myanmar, the Chinese government reacted fast to her people. Perhaps, it is time when the world should take another good look at China. This is a Giant who is often misunderstood – yet attacked for many bad reasons. If you look back at the last 100 years, China has really never attacked another country. (The USA-Iraq War lasted longer than 2nd-world war!) Sure, China’s past house-keeping methods were questionable but it helped to unite a nation of a billion people.
12 years away from home - Singapore. Writing my stories here for my lovely mum & dad, friends and most importantly, for my wife & son back home. A self-confessed gadget freak, a spontaneous prankster on the outside and a warm loving heart inside. Enjoying a happy life with loving families, friends plus a dream job. Realising mum’s motto – “Exceed Yourself Every Day”. Always believing that “Simplicity is Beauty”.
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You always speak out how I feel, Cheers.
Angela
Sure Angela. It is also something I want to take back and share with my fellow Singaporeans. China is such a big country but it is touching to see the unity of its people in this dark hour. From the poor to the rich, everyone contribute selflessly. And the patriotism I see in young Chinese today surprised me – for I wonder how many countrymen of mine are proud enough to wear "I love My Country" tag on themselves. (maybe only during National Day). One may argue that there is no need to show "skin-deep dressing" to illustrate patriotism, the love I saw in the locals comes truly from the heart. To be a true superpower, the people of China needs to continue to have such big heart to demonstrate to the world. Perhaps the world should see China not as a country…but as individuals.
Dear Joe,
I had the deep same feeling as you…, if you don’t mind, I would like to forward this into my blog. Cheers.