Hannah Fletcher
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A total of 200 Chinese rescue workers have been buried by mudslides in the past three days, it was announced today.
China's state Xinhua news agency said the workers from the Transport Ministry were buried while repairing damaged roads. Officials are still counting how many have been killed.
The news emerged as China marked the start of a three-day grief period for victims of the Sichuan quake with a three-minute silence.
At 2.28pm, exactly one week after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake devastated the country’s southwest provinces, the country stood silent as it grieved for the 70,000 people believed to have died under the rubble.
All public recreational activities have been suspended, the Olympic torch relay has been delayed and national flags are to be flown at half mast.
Internet entertainment websites have been ordered to redirect users to commemorative earthquake sites and theatres, cinemas, and nightclubs have canceled or postponed performances.
It is the first time that China’s “ordinary” citizens have been honoured in this way.
In Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, hundreds of people gathered for the three minutes of silence. Beforehand, they lined up to take photos of the flag at half-mast.
“This is the first time I’ve seen our flag like this,” said a 61-year-old man. “Before, this would never have happened for us ordinary people.
“But now, seeing the flag down for the people of Sichuan, we know we are all equal.”
As the crowd fell silent, some sobbed and some prayed. Across the city, car horns blared. “It was a magnificent sight,” said Ma Zhangqing, 43, after. “I wanted to cry.”
But as huge speakers announced the period of silence over, the throng erupted into chants of “Come on, Sichuan! Long live China!” They crushed in towards the flagpole and pumped their fists in the air, screaming the words until their voices cracked.
The outburst comes on the back of a wave of nationalist sentiment in China, as the country stands up to the perceived wrath of the western world over Tibet.
But Meng Mei, a 20-year-old student leading the chanting, insisted that this was not nationalism. “Wherever they are from, everybody wants their country to be great.
“Everybody wants to support their country. It’s something that we all feel in our hearts. I am not a nationalist. This is all for Sichuan.”
Donations to the stricken region from home and abroad have already topped 10.834 billion yuan (795 million GBP). But Beijing today appealed to the international community for more tents for the estimated 4.8 million survivors left homeless.
In the past week, the bad news from Sichuan province and the surrounding quake zone has not let up. The confirmed death toll rose by another 2,000 today to 34,073 and is expected to reach 50,000, although it could be much higher. The Sichuan government said today that more than 71,000 people were dead, buried or missing. 254,000 people are reported injured.
Donations to the region from home and abroad have already topped 10.834 billion yuan (795 million GBP). But Beijing today appealed to the international community for more tents for the estimated 4.8 million survivors left homeless.
A vast rescue effort by thousands of volunteers and 150,000 People’s Liberation Army and police officers has been hampered by dire weather and almost 150 aftershocks measuring 4 or more on the Richter scale. A 5.9-magnitude aftershock early yesterday morning killed three people and injured one thousand.
“It’s a tragedy,” said Tian Quanyou, a 46-year-old taxi driver parked on the side of Tiananmen Sqaure to observe the silence. “If only 80 or so people had died, then that would be ok. “But 50,000…anyone who isn’t moved by that has something wrong with their hearts.”
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Im am currently in China, and used this story to highlight the bravery of rescue workers. However, it is roundly being condemned as untrue, and I am being condemned as a lying foreigner out to hurt China, and steak fundraising money. This is the truth of life in China. a link to XinHua please??
Nick, Wenchang, Hainan, China
heroes, take care of yourseves. only in this way can you save more lives.
Share, Ningbo, China
Come on rise up,my compatriots,come on rise up,Sichuan,come on rise up,my beloved country!
Kevin Guo, Chongqing, China
I am a chinese people ,thanks for all helpness from good-heart people all over the world,hopefully, we can overcome the big hardship.
zhaofeng.yuan, wuhan , china
My Chinese brothers and sisters, I am moved to tears to see your display of oneness in this dark hour of grief and sorrow. You displayed strength and courage against all odds. Even d trapped display bravery, knowing that help was near and yet so uncertain. Your Govt. was great, your leaders involved
Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
I am a GAP student from London, currently working at a school in China. I have been able to witness the strife and pain the people of China are going through first hand. I would strongly urge you not to write off the actions in T Square yesterday as nationalistic. It was a moving display of support!
Nick Briggs, Hui'ain, China
China, we pray for you and hurt with you. Help will keep coming, don't lost your hope.
Kristina, Minnetonka, MN , USA
To honor the earthquake victims by holding three days of silence shows that Chinese government headed by President Hu Jing-tao and Premier Wen Jia-bao, is a humanistic, people-first government.
Chun-Quan Meng, China
Chun-Quan Meng, Xi'an, China
The community spirit displayed here in China is amazing. This disaster has united the country; from president to beggar in the street. I see a love the chinese have for one another, no matter their roots. There is only one thing on their minds at present...Sichuan. No matter how poor, all give.
Mid J., Dong Pu, China
May everyting go well in China! The children in heaven don't cry.
I don't you, but I sincerely pray for you. Not only myself, but 1,300,000,000 Chinese people!!!
Xiao xiaoxue, Guilin, China
they are all real heroes! the media should open their name list !
cty, zhejiang, china
mourn for the 200 relief worker buried by mudslides. hope that the all chinese people and whole world can unite, try our best to meet surviors's need, to relief their pains as much as possible.
little july, zhuji, china
Come on, China, you are always resilient.
Great admiration for the relief workers and our premier. God bless you all.
Jackson, Guangzhou, China
Come on, Sichuan! Long live China!
Jiang Nana, Shanghai, China
I am crying when i see China is crying! But i do believe Chinese people can overcome it like they always do!
Sophia, Guangzhou, China
Flags are at half mast for mourning the people who have died in the devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake.We are all sad for
the tragedy.Rescue team have tried their best to pull out the suvivors,but things don't turn around to the spot where we want.The death toll is expected to go even higher.
cristiano, Wuhan, China
Terrible. Truly terrible.
Louise, Newcastle, Britain
Yes, when faced with such great disaster, some care or love from other countries is couraging. We really appreciate those who have supported us in whatever they can. There's no border when facing such great tragedy. But restored stories / reports will be really disheartening.. Cheer up! China!
Weiwei, Shenzhen, China
It's events like this that put it all into perspective. Trade issues? Complaints about policy? All miniscule when the Earth decides to shrug her shoulders ever so gently.
Hang tough, China. You'll make it through, just as you always have.
Matt, Rochester, NY, USA
To the Great People of China:
I mourn with you for your loss-may you all somehow find peace w/ this terrible tragic incident. I do not understand what it is like to lose a loved one to a natural disaster; but my heart is saddened just the same. Good luck to you, China!
Renee, Woodbury, USA
Come on, Sichuan! Come on, China!
wuyaowen, Beibei,Chongqing, China
in the disaster, we witness the birth of millions of hero among ordinary people and a brave China
Come on China, Come on Sichuan
Zheng L, London,
God bless China, her relief workers and and all those affected by this tragedy
Steve Custins, Shanghai, China
Grieve for the unfortunate.
Come on, China, you are always resilient!
Tremendous admiration for the relief workers.
God bless you all.
Jackson, Guangzhou, China
The TV news reports in the last week have been heart breaking. There are no appropriate words to convey the sadness caused by this disaster and the grief of the bereaved parents who, in most cases, will have lost their only child.
God bless the long suffering Chinese people.
Shirley Bowen, Blackpool, UK
we will do our best to rescue the brethren being buried . The temblor can't defeat our Nation ,because our people 's hearts are together ! we never give up !
Michael, Zhejiang, China
the disaster is indifference.but we have all our fellow beings here .come on!
joanna, jinhua, china
Please DON't blur the distinction between PATRIOTISM and NATIONALISM. Chinese people have the right to love their country and to mourn the death of their fellow citizens. There's NOTHINGING concerning 'wrath of the western world'... we are always grateful to those who come to help in the disaster.
One China, Shanghai, China
Hannah Fletcher,Very thanks for your report...Hope the 200 brave workers would all survive! Bless Brave&Unselfish Relief Workers! Mourn Unfortunate&Suffering Victims!
Michal, Bei JIng,
Thank you for all the brave people, and the people who made us brave,.We are all together,there is no difference between countries, we are A BIG FAMILY on the earth, come on ,Sichuan,come on China,come on 2008, God bless you!
Emma, Beijing , China
May god be with them.
peter yang, beijing, china
I pray for these brave people. Hope they survive. These are real heros. Saving lives is heroic, to die in the process is matyrdom. Yes, the Chinese are brave and hardy. When the going gets tough, the tough Chinese get going. Just hang on, more will be saved. I see your fighting spirit. Go China go.
Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
I am a Brit in China and today the people showed their feelings at the three minutes silence. It was an impressive display of solidarity. I just hope the World will help in whatever way they can and let the Chinese people know that they care about them. The loss of so many children is heartbreaking
Derek Beardsall, Guangzhou, China