Show of public spirit a good omen for China

The earthquake in Sichuan on May 12, which has so far left over 60,000 dead, another 26,000 still missing and 5 million homeless, was the most damaging disaster in China in over three decades. Facing such a massive killer earthquake, the Chinese government responded quickly and effectively. President Hu Jintao immediately called for an "all-out" effort in rescue operations, and within hours Premier Wen Jiabao set up the rescue command center in the disaster zone. Massive rescue forces, formed mainly by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the paramilitary police, were mobilized and deployed to the disaster areas in no time. Meanwhile, China remained open and thankful to international concerns and assistances. All these have been applauded by the world community as well as by the general public in China.

But the most significant phenomenon emerging from this horrific disaster is the unprecedented demonstration of the spirit of citizenship by the ordinary Chinese people.

Immediately after the earthquake, people from all walks of life throughout the country took actions spontaneously, offering their help, donation, and support to the rescue efforts. The outpouring of public support and donations has revealed not just the Chinese people's compassion for their compatriots in this tragic, humanitarian crisis, but, more importantly, their conscious expression of responsibility to their society and nation.