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China joins together in silent memorial
By Hu Yongqi, Qi Xiao and Yan Jie (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-22 07:30
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Xining residents gather in snow to pay their respects to quake victims
XINING -- Tens of thousands of local residents in the capital of Northwest China's Qinghai province gathered in heavy snowfall to mourn for the victims of the Yushu earthquake.
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The provincial leadership attended the ceremony with more than 10,000 people gathered in the city's largest square.
"We will remember the lives lost in the ruthless disaster and we are grateful for help from all corners of China after the earthquake," Luo Huining, head of the provincial relief headquarters, said at the ceremony.
During a three-minute silent tribute, many people wept and tears rolled down their cheeks. Wangdron Tsenyi was overcome by tears as she fingered beads in her hands and recited prayers for those who had lost their lives.
Accompanied by her daughter and son-in-law, the 78-year-old Tibetan woman, who does not speak much Mandarin, was among the throng who arrived early in the square.
"She has been praying every morning since the quake," said her daughter, Yue Xiaohong.
Three of her relatives were injured during the quake - one seriously - and all of them are now recovering in Xining's hospitals.
Although Wangdron Tsenyi is not a native of Yushu, she has been greatly saddened and moved by what she saw on TV, her daughter said.
Translating as her mother spoke, she explained: "She said she is already very old. And she hopes her prayers can bring safety to the children."
After the mourning ceremony, Wangdron Tsenyi tied a white ceremonial scarf to the wreaths that lay in front of the square.
"This is for those who died in the quake and those who died in the rescue," her daughter said.
All vehicles, including taxis en route to their destinations, stopped prior to the silent tribute and blew their horns. Ma Yihai, a 35-year-old taxi driver of the Hui ethnic group, said people should stand together to help the survivors. He donated 50 yuan ($7.40) on Friday to pray for the affected people.
"Although 50 yuan is not much money, it represents my sincere wishes," he said.
The memorial ceremony was simultaneously held at hospitals, military camps and rescue shelters to remember the lost lives.
At the No 1 People's Hospital of Xining, doctors, nurses and other hospital employees joined the three-minute silent tribute.
Zhang Dingzhuo, a 4-year-old quake survivor who suffered minor bruising on his head, stared out of the windows of the inpatient building while he sat in his father's arms.
The boy's grandparents and uncle were also injured in the quake. The four were taken to Xining and hospitalized on Friday, said Nie Juan, the boy's mother.
The family, from Central China's Henan province, hopes to return to their hometown to complete their recovery when the four injured family members are able to make the journey.
