CNN网站今日的一篇报道，注意粗体字，可以看出这次中国人民、中国政府的表现，确实让西方世界刮目相看：
BEIJING, China (CNN) -- One of the most destructive moments in Chinese history is bringing together -- at least temporarily -- this vast nation of more than a billion people, made up of disparate ethnic groups stretching across five time zones.
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When millions of Chinese paused for three minutes of silence Monday, they personified the surge in patriotism and charity that has swept this country since a massive 7.9 magnitude earthquake leveled large sections of Sichuan province in southwestern China.
Moments after the observance ended, chants of "Go, China, Go!" broke out in Tiananmen Square, where a Chinese military crackdown in 1989 left hundreds dead.
Sentiments have changed since the days of the anti-government protests.
"As Chinese we must be united," said a student who marched on the square nearly 19 years ago. "We Chinese can do it!"
Some of Monday's demonstrators waved Chinese flags while others hoisted banners with slogans like "Rebuild Sichuan!"
Horrific scenes of death and devastation -- covered heavily by the local media -- have triggered a surge of patriotism and charity.
"When one is in trouble," the Chinese say, "help comes from all directions."
In Beijing, Chinese officials, entertainers, athletes and artists attended a marathon concert, giving donations and calling on the public to give more.
The benefit concert raised more than 1.51 billion yuan, or $216 million.
More donations are pouring in through other channels.
As of Sunday, Chinese nationals had donated more than 4.9 billion yuan ($700 million) in cash and goods for earthquake relief, according to China's Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Live on Chinese TV, local businesses pledged to give money and build free housing for victims -- an unusual display of civic charity. As of last Saturday, Chinese enterprises had donated more than 3.5 billion yuan ($501 million) in cash and relief goods.
"Traditionally the Chinese people don't share as much with strangers. They share a great deal among friends and family, but not with strangers," according to China analyst Zhang Daxing.
At The Bookworm, a Beijing bookstore, residents drop off relief goods that are promptly shipped to disaster areas.
"My guess would be about 350 boxes, which include kid's clothes, adult clothes, a lot of sleeping bags, tents, dried food, shoes, that type of stuff," said store owner Alex Pearson.
Students in the Chinese capital have even taken to the street to collect donations.
"Although we cannot go to Sichuan to save them, we can still help them with donated money," one student said.
Analysts say this unprecedented display of charity is partly in response to the quick action already taken by Chinese officials to the emergency.
The Chinese media have repeatedly shown Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao comforting survivors. Many believe this has inspired Chinese residents to do what they can to help.
Meantime, a new image of China is emerging around the world.
"The earthquake changed China's international image from an oppressor or an authoritarian government to a victim of natural disaster and human tragedy," said Wenfang Tang, professor of political science at the University of Pittsburgh.
The Chinese, at least for now, are more united as a people and more charitable, as citizens pull together in the wake of a massive earthquake.
PS：
地震过去8天了，我时刻关注着最新的消息，希望有更多幸存者被找出。大家都踊跃捐款，兰州血站也因库存过量而停止采血。前天参加了烛光祈福晚会，演员们表演完毕深深鞠躬对观众的捐款表示感谢。昨天在广场和上千人集体默哀，交通停止，行人驻足，防空警报和汽车喇叭惨烈的声音划破整个天空，仿佛逝去者亲人们的哭泣。我看到手捧菊花的情侣，黯然泪下的阿姨，双手向天的祈祷者，还有很多身着“我们在一起”T恤的年轻人。种种一切，似乎跟以往的中国不太一样了。就像凤凰评论员阮次山所说，“整个中华民族团结的像一个人”。
中国文化向来缺乏对生命的尊重，正因如此，中国历史上从没出现过民主政权，中国人也给人一盘散沙的感觉。所以西方社会认为我们没有人权，是“蛮荒”和“暴民”。但任何事物有弊就有利，我们的社会制度对这次救灾起到了很大的正面作用。党政军一体的集权制度使得高效的行政能力和协调能力转化为实际的救灾能力，大量的人员和物资能够快速的调动进灾区，让我对政治课上抽象的“社会主义的优越性”有了直观的理解。事物总是慢慢发展的，既然民主是全球公认的更加先进的社会制度，中国早晚也要实现民主。那么，是否可以通过温和的改革，而非激烈的革命，实现所谓民主的“软着陆”呢？起码，我看到了一些这方面的努力。
愿2008年越挫越勇的中国人们，能够在中华复兴的道路上踏出坚实的一步，正像那句话“2008是灾难和荣耀并存的一年，灾难的是中国的土地，荣耀的是中国的心！” |
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