The Olympic torch relay passed through the mountainous region of East China's Fujian Province Wednesday, where Mao Zedong and his comrades formed the Red Army under the leadership of the Communist Party of China almost eight decades ago. When the torch passed the compound where Mao presided over the historical two-day Gutian Congress in 1929, local farmers showed their support for earthquake victims by toting pieces of red-colored paper on which they wrote in Chinese calligraphy: "Wenchuan, hold on!"

Facing the aftermath of Monday's 7.8-magnitude quake centered on Wenchuan County in Sichuan Province, people all across China put their best efforts forward to offer help. Ordinary citizens lined up to make personal donations and to donate blood; volunteers headed for the worst-hit areas; and people anxiously followed the news on the rescue process, expressing great concern and praying for victims and their families. Chinese people will spare no efforts to carry on the Olympic spirit and true essence of patriotism ignited by the sacred flame.

"We will relay the warmth of Olympic flame to the quake-stricken people," said the torch bearers. It is this disaster that has added symbolism to the torch relay. All the participants in the torch relay stood in silent tribute to deaths en route. At the closing ceremony of the torch's Fujian leg, torchbearers, the audience and members of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad reached into their pockets to help quake victims.

Xu Zhengguo, a torch bearer, said that the Olympic flame not only relays the sporting spirit to compete and win; but also humanitarian virtues like love and harmony. The sports field has long been regarded as a testing ground for strength and perseverance; and competitive events have encouraged athletes to overcome hardships and endure. Disaster, however, is a kind of test bequeathed by Nature. Premier Wen Jiabao said that while touring the quake-ravaged areas, "this disaster has tested all us. We all have to band together and have confidence and push forward."

The calamity in Wenchuan took a heavy toll on human lives. Tens of thousands had perished and the number of casualties is rising. With rescue and aid work setting in, many foreign countries and international organizations reached out to China offering humanitarian help. The U.S., Japan, Russia and the E.U. promised to be "prepared to offer help at any time." The U.N also conveyed its condolences to China's government and expressed it would "fully support China's rescue and reconstruction efforts." Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, sent a fax to China's government saying: "in the very difficult times, our concerns will be with you, and the Olympic Games will be with the disaster-stricken people." Additionally, many foreign media extensively and objectively reported on the tremors and rescue operations.

On the front page of a portal website, people can find a banner which reads: "we expected so much of the year 2008 – longing for sunshine and laughter – but unexpectedly we have all along been hindered in the progress by so many storms and even catastrophes. Even so, China will not bow to difficulties and complain about pains; instead, it will brave the storms and charge ahead."

The disaster is testing us Chinese in the Olympic year which bears high expectations for an old civilization. Nevertheless, we will be holding aloft the Olympic flame no matter wind or rain; and with great love and will power, we will continue to relay the Olympic spirit of "peace, friendship and progress."

By People's Daily Online