Beijing in Mourning for '9.11' Victims, Photo Exhibitions Held

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, September 13, 2002

Beijing in Mourning for '9.11' Victims, Photo Exhibitions Held

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

On the early morning of September 11, Miss Li, a university freshman, walked two hours in rain to the US Embassy in Beijing, a bunch of white flowers in hand. "I just want to pray for those lost in the terror attacks the very day last year", she said.

The 25-year-old Zhang Jun is an employee with a foreign-funded enterprise in Beijing.

"Here I once indignantly protested when the United States bombed our embassy in Yugoslavia in 1998," he said calmly, "but standing at the same place today, I mourn for those innocent victims".

On the slippery roads, a taxi driver slowed his car. "I took a man who came from the suburbs in early morning to the embassy, who carried flowers to pay his respects", he said, "I would have an even better business if it didn't rain".

Like other days, a queue of people was formed applying for visas in front of the embassy. "The 9.11 attack shattered my dream of going abroad", a man in the queue complained, "I have got an offer from an American university, but I was twice rejected visa ". He fretfully shook off the raindrops on his face, "the rain is falling for America," he said.

"Today's newspapers were selling like hot cakes", said a woman newsvendor in Xizhimen, "About 60 copies of Xin Bao were sold in the morning, in other days it has to take a whole day. I believe that is because they are running stories about the "9.11" incident".

After work Mr. Liu, who works for a newspaper, rushed home to watch the commemoration program at 7:30 p.m. with his friends.

Photo exhibition to be held

The United States plans to hold a series of activities in China for the first anniversary of the "September 11" incident, including an exhibition of on-the-spot photos. All exhibited works will be transported to China by air and preparatory work was done months ago.

An American photographer took plenty of on-the-spot pictures after the disaster happened, showing the moans of New York, miserable expressions on the faces of victims' relatives and heroic spirit displayed by rescue workers. Twenty-eight of his works will be shown in China for 15 days, and Vice-Culture Minister Pan Zhenyu, together with other officials, attended the opening ceremony.

Speaking of China's reaction to the terrorist attack, the US ambassador to China Clark Randt said that Chinese President Jiang Zemin made immediate reactions after the occurrence of the incident. At the same time, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan sent a message to US Secretary of State Colin Powell, saying China is standing side by side with the United States in regard to fighting terrorism. The American people, including President Bush, are deeply impressed by China's response. The joint efforts made by our two great countries in the fight against terrorism presage the bright prospect of our bilateral ties.

By PD Online Staff Member Li Heng

Questions?Comments? Click here

"September 11" Attacks Recalled

A Year after 'September 11' Attack

Far Fewer US Bound Passengers Aboard September 11

Japanese Court Dismisses Germ Warfare Victims' Damages Claim ( 94 Messages)

China Plans to Stop the Overeas Flight of Corrupt Officials ( 69 Messages)

China Blocks the Way of Corrupt Officials Fleeing Overseas ( 5 Messages)

Survey Discloses Bad Service of Domestic Banks ( 4 Messages)

Quantitative Study Uncovers US Media Blackout: China Youth Daily ( 25 Messages)