When China was eagerly aspiring for and meticulously preparing for the Beijing's upcoming Olympics, the Wenchuan earthquake jolted southwestern Sichuan province on May 12. The devastating quake left tens of thousands of people dead and several hundred thousand others injured with an immense, innumerable loss of material or property damage. Then, can the Olympic Games be run well after the quake?
The heroic deeds and extraordinary courage displayed by the Chinese people have already given the affirmative answer: Any disaster cannot overpower the conviction of the 1.3 billion people in China to host an Olympic Games with high attainments and unique characteristics.
Such a faith comes from the staunch, self-confident Chinese government. It plunged into the quake rescue and relief in varied rapid and highly effective ways: Going all out to save lives, transferring to settle the injured quake victims, stepping up public hygiene to control epidemics, publicizing the quake-related information in the prime time, opening the quake areas to international rescue teams, and declaring the three-day period of mourning for ordinary quake victims that began at 2:28 on May 19, 2008, exactly one week after the quake struck Sichuan province...
Such an approach to cherishing human lives, holding itself responsible to people and opening itself to the outside world has enabled the entire world to witness how China takes people first and confides in itself. So, no difficulties whatsover can hinder us from hosting a successful Olympics in such a nation and with the leadership of such a government.
Such a faith comes from the dauntless and united Chinese people. Right after the quake, people across the nation immediately threw themselves into drives to donate money and materials, contingents of volunteers rushed to quake areas, and still more people worked overtime to manufacture tents, medicine and other goods badly needed for the quake victims, or worked night and days to tend the wounded victims… the people of all ethnicities nationwide and those from the quake areas pull together in times of trouble to tide over the trying period, and there was the resultant outburst of a cohesive power intrinsic within the Chinese nation in the face of scourges, and all this constitutes the firm social basis for the successful hosting of Olympic Games.
Such a faith comes from the all-powerful, comprehensive national strength. The fast-speed and highly-effective relief efforts are also ascribed to the daily growing economic strength accumulated over the last three decades of reform and opening to the world. In the past 30 years, China's gross domestic product (GDP) quadrupled and quadrupled again to rank the fourth place in the world. The reform and opening-up, and the sustained fast economic development have provided not only a strong guarantee of resources for the quake relief but a reliable material basis for holding the Olympics in the post-quake period.
Such a faith comes from the persevering pursuit of the Olympics dream. When Beijing in 2001 won the bid for the 2008 Olympic Games, China made a solemn commitment to the world that it would "host an unforgettable Olympics". And it has kept its word for the past seven years, and this commitment will never alter no matter whatever great difficulties it might encounter.
A paraplegic girl, who had undergone an amputation operation owing to the quake, said, "I will support Beijing and its hosting of Olympic Games with my resolve and optimism and, even if I am not able go to the arena to watch the Games myself, I will pay heed to the Games and Beijing with all my heart." Disasters can make people suffer on one hand and, on the other hand, make people strong with a pluck-up courage, but they can never stop the Chinese people from realizing their dream of Olympic Games.
People will never forget that the Mexico City was struck by a major quake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale in 1985 when Mexico was busy preparing for a FIFA world cup. The government and people of Mexico, however, succeeded in hosting the unprecedented, splendid 1986 FIFA World Cup eight months later thanks to their optimism, resolution and unity. So the Mexico people moved the whole world with their enthusiasm, endeavor and sincerity.
This time, the severe quake befell China, which was also amid in its preparations for the Beijing Olympics. The staunchness, unity and courage exhibited by its government and people, have likewise moved the world. To date, the International Olympic Committee, various competition items organizations and Olympic committees of 205 countries and regions that are to participate in the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, have all voiced their full confidence in the Beijing Olympics. Leaders of many countries, too, have expressed the belief that the Beijing Olympics will be crowned with success. Such support and encouragement from the international community will surely make China more confident of itself, and it shall be best reciprocation for the nation to host the Olympic Games well so as to return their support and encouragement.
By People's Daily Online, and its author is Ye Shuhong, a senior reporter from Xinhua News Agency
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