Nothing can put such a people down

After the recent earthquake inflicted tremendous sufferings to several provinces and shook half of the Chinese mainland, there was an opinion, as expressed in Internet forums, that "we should learn to stand in awe of nature". What the opinion means, I guess, is that we should not try to challenge the might of nature by bringing any change to it.

I will agree to it if the opinion implies that man should not violate the rules of nature and he may earn for himself nature's vengeance if he tries to extract too much from it. But I do not think we should become fearful of the elements and remain submissive in front of a bad-tempered Mother Nature.

In fact, the bravery and the unyielding spirit demonstrated by the Chinese people during the blizzards at the beginning of the year and the recent earthquake reflect the most precious traits of the nation that need to be carried on.