earthquakes

source: wall street journal digital news

China and Japan are closely linked economically, but their ties are often buffeted by lingering anger in China over Japan’s brutal occupation during World War II. The initial public reaction to Japan’s earthquake—the country’s worst in at least 300 years–was mixed, with postings on Sina Weibo, the most active of China’s Twitter-like microblogging services, including expressions of sympathy mixed with some nationalistic gloating.

“It’s great an earthquake has finally hit the Japanese dwarves,” commented a Sina Weibo user writing under the name Liaoning Taxue Wuhen. “Best if it disappears from the map. Wishing Chinese exchange students peace and safety.” Added user weldon999: “Ha ha ha, saved us more than a few missiles!!!”

Others, however, expressed admiration for the orderly way in which Japan seemed to be handling the disaster. Responding to a photo of Tokyo residents standing in orderly groups in the street after the earthquake hit, Sina user awaybaby wrote: “When Chinese people can get to this level, that’s when we’ll be able to become a global power.”

earthquake and tsunami warnings

Sending my prayers and best wishes to the earthquake victims in Japan and Yunnan, China, and to all countries that are bracing for the impact of the tsunami.

 Taiwan roads reopened and guests at a Philippines resort reported no unusual waves after Japan’s strongest earthquake in at least a century triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including the U.S. west coast. bloomberg report on earthquake

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Steven's weibo entries on the earthquakes and tsunami warning.
3/11 19:32 


Have watched numerous news films and read the news reports on the earthquakes in Yunnan and Japan, heartsick and sad...and now just read Kelly's news*... Ai!  Anyway, sincerely wishing all  those who are in need of them (the following blessings) will be safe, healthy and happy.  Tomorrow is filled with hope, and tomorrow will be better.  

看了很多云南和日本地震災難的新聞片和報道，感覺很痛心，很難過.....剛剛又看到kelly的消息......唉！無論如何，衷心祝福每一個有需要的人都平安、健康、快樂。明天充滿希望，明天會更好！

tn: Kelly Chen announced that she has a miscarriage and has lost the twin daughters she was carrying. 

10/11 16:19

Eastern Taiwan brothers and sisters, be alert, and be careful!
Blessings and peace!
台東的弟兄姊妹要注意啊，小心啊！祝福平安！TN: above is tsunami warning from Taiwan gov't.

3/11 15:35

Pray for Yunnan fellow countrymen ! 
為雲南同胞們祈禱！

3/11 15:30


Pray!  Pray that heaven will watch over the Japan victims. 
祈禱！願天佑日本災區人民！

Book - I Truly Wept

I Truly Wept
我真的哭了
Death from old age and sickness is nature.
But death from natural and man-made disasters rends the hearts!
Eternal separation is inevitable.
Pain - everybody has experienced it at one time or more.
But, the kind of pain that numbs feelings and dams up tears, is that the utmost pain?
When I catch scenes of human sufferings in natural or man-made disasters,
I feel distress, so distraught I can't watch it unflinchingly.
A mother - wailing at the top of her voice crying out her child’s name…
A father - gently stroking his dead child’s face, hand's trembling but tears won’t come….
A man - struggling to save someone's child, his own beyond help…
A woman - comforting a friend, wearing a brave face, awaiting a miracle…
A group of civilian heroes - deprived of sleep and rest rescuing survivors…
A group of citizens - volunteering in the rescue efforts as teams, all to save precious human lives... 
Wounds can heal, but life once gone will never return…
Sometimes, truly hate Heaven, hate Heaven for why it had to be so cruel?
Why destroy so many good homes?
Why tear apart loving families eternally?
Why created such devastation with no forewarning?

I truly wept!
Heaven, why?
Perhaps, Heaven will not answer me!
Fine, I will not seek answers from Heaven, either.
Since it has already happened, thinking or talking about it is pointless.
What can be done is: those with money, donate money; those with abilities, lend a hand.
I will, certainly will; anyone who is human, will!
I, a mere human being, hope that all the victims will rest in peace;
That all the survivors will one day get past their pains and sufferings to start afresh!

pp 102-103

TN: re: Sichuan Devastating Earthquake

Why?

為何會這樣?
2008-05-16 17:58
At this very moment, I feel so heartsick!

Why? Words are not necessary.
There’ve been so many natural disasters lately: Myanmar’s cyclone, Szechuan’s earthquake…just so hard to bear.

Why did they happen?
Why?

Seeing the victims, the survivors, the victims’ families and friends, and those who have lost their homes; I can’t stand it!
The TV evening news for the past few nights and the images on them devastated me; I can’t bear to watch them anymore.

I cried; too painful, truly too painful!

But, crying and anguish aside, one still needs to stand up and face the reality with courage!
Whenever I see another victim being rescued, I cheer!

Whatever happened has happened. Today on my blog I entreat all friends who did not suffer the catastrophe to please help out, whether through donating money or through efforts, whether it’s just a penny or a prayer; please, everyone, do whatever you can to wholeheartedly help out.

Also, from today onwards, I entreat all my fans to not waste money on getting gifts for me, even if it is just a stem of flower. Instead use the extra money to help our brothers and sisters! But of course, if you truly wish to give me something, write me a letter instead.

Today, to all the victims and their families and friends, I send them my best wishes and consolations.
Here’s hoping for peace on earth.

Translator: tamaya
Sichuan eathequake