Maturity needed for National Day security
- Source: Global Times
- [01:34 September 03 2009]
- Comments
A mixture of enthusiasm and unease is pervasive with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, October 1, approaching.
Virtually every government department has geared up to ensure the anniversary celebrations are secure.
The meteorological service of Beijing, for example, will use its experience from the Olympic Games last year in forecasting and weather modification work for the grand military parade that will mark the anniversary.
The National Development and Reform Commission circulated a notice recently to maintain a stable price of daily necessities, including even regulating park admission fees during the National Day holiday. A one-month-long nationwide inspection of industrial safety is also underway under the guidance of the State Council.
The public has gotten involved as well. A public campaign to safeguard security has attracted an estimated 1.4 million participants.
Even with the whole country on high alert, it is hardly guaranteed National Day celebrations won't be interrupted by some kind of incident. To some, National Day is the perfect time to stage an event to catch the maximum attention. Even average news events, like minor disputes, small-scale sickness outbreaks or low profile accidents, could be subject to close scrutiny and interpreted through a political lens, something China should be thoroughly prepared for.
In addition, as China further integrates into the world, it can no longer be isolated from the dark side of world affairs. The wider it opens, the more likely it will be targeted by different kinds of anti-China forces. That's why the Chinese government has been closely watching pro-independence forces in Tibet and Xinjiang, which could attempt to instigate incidents during the upcoming sensitive time.
But while preparing for the worst, perhaps what's more urgent is for us to adopt a more mature attitude toward any possible emergency. As professor Wu Xu of the University of Arizona pointed out, a mature country is like an adult, not going after perfection, but able to confront all kinds of social realities with confidence.
The success of the Olympic Games last year testified to China's ability to host an extravaganza event that stunned the world. The coming National Day celebrations are another test of the government, and also a good opportunity for the public, and the media as well, to learn to deal with emergencies.
Keep a close watch, but in the meantime, let's have fun.
