Confidence, unity crucial

I cannot help crying when I read the reports about Sichuan's quake.

A 21-year old young English teacher was found underground. She tried to protect three children under her arms, but her body was dismembered into three pieces. She was so young, unmarried.

Another young teacher, when he was found dead, was seen using his arms to protect two students, just like an eagle with its wings open. The two boys were alive, but he passed away.

He held them so tightly that the rescue worker had to cut his arms off. He saved the kids with his wings of love. He was regarded the most handsome young man in the school and only 29 years old.

Then there was the young teacher who left his wife forever trying to save the students. They had been married ten days ago.

Yet the young teacher gave up his chance to live in Shanghai, and chose to come back to his hometown to be a village school teacher with the salary of a few hundred yuan per month. He was 23.

Too many lives lost so young, normally they would have had a bright future. Maybe they carried the hope of their parents, their lovers.

Facing their examples, I feel so ashamed of myself.

About 17 years ago, I graduated from a normal college. But I didn't choose to be a teacher for I didn't want to face the naughty children. It was silly of me to consider them a burden.

Disasters test all people's attitudes to life. It really shocked me a lot. And my view of life has changed thoroughly since the disaster.

I think we need to rebuild so many things. Confidence must be the first. Homes are the basic need to start a new life. As we miss our lost relatives and beloved, we should go on with great courage. Unity is necessary, and at least we are all Chinese, part of a family.

Chi Hongtao in Shenzhen

via e-mail

Thank you, Beijing

Soon I will leave Beijing nine days after coming here from a small village, Somers, an hour's drive from Melbourne, Australia. Through you it may be possible to thank the people here who have made my stay so enjoyable. Many have said "Welcome to Beijing", shared a laugh at my Mandarin, tolerated my curiosity, and gone out of their way to point to me the right direction.

I have been amazed at your new Beijing, yet relished the hutong, been fascinated with your rich history, excited with your future, enthralled at the Birds' Nest stadium, and felt calm watching falcons hover over the valleys at the Great Wall.

I have haggled with the sellers in the market but not very well, then seen more luxury than ever in the malls, relished thick soup in the street stall, and wondered at your creativity at Red Gate Gallery and Today Art.

I have walked many kilometers soaking in the buzz, biked a few more yet unable to find an end, exercised at sunrise in gardens at Beihai and Jingshan with new friends.

Mostly I'm glad to have had enough time to see a few of Beijing's moods to gain some understanding. At breakfast your English edition gave an update on what's happening, CCTV 9 Asia Today had old neighbor Edwin Maher provide a context, and found a Net cafe with 100 gamers so I could contact family.

The subway, bus and taxi got me around for a thorough, if near-exhausting, experience.

So, with all your preparations, and your helpful attitude, your Games deserve to be great success. Thanks again, especially to those around Shatan.

Tedd Warden

via e-mail

Shame on this hot pot restaurant

Sharon Stone has agitated the Chinese people by describing the disastrous earthquake as "Karma". Her insincere apology can hardly be accepted.

We just see the coldness in Stone and other people like her.

However, on "Fuxing forum website" I happened to see a photo which shocked me as much as Stone did.

I was so angry with the restaurant with a billboard reading "5/12 zhenzhong pot", or "5/12 epicenter pot". It was said to be at Wanzhou district of Chongqing city.

We cannot understand how the small restaurant dare try to attract customers by making fun of the earthquake? Especially because Chongqing is so close to the quake-hit area.

The boss of the restaurant, the decoration firm who made the billboard, and the local administration for industry and commerce all should ask themselves why they conceived such a weird idea.

Why did the department supervising local markets turn a blind eye to such a restaurant that so cruelly abused our fellow people's sufferings?

Qin Henhai

On blog.xinhuanet.com.cn

Stone a loose cannon

Please do not think for one moment Sharon Stone represents the thoughts or feelings of the American public. She has long been known for her nonsensical comments and it's very sad that she was chosen to represent our country in any type of advertising.

She has always been outspoken on topics that just make her look stupid. If anyone should be held accountable, it's the companies paying her to advertise their products when they know she is a loose cannon.

Please know that no matter how much your religious or political belief may differ from mine or how similar they may be, thousands of people in the United States have been praying for everyone effected by the devastation that has occurred.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, the rescue workers and those involved in the recovery and identification of those involved.

Becky Strader

via e-mail

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(China Daily 06/04/2008 page9)