CHINA: China's state television motivates the nation into a war against the weather

Record ID: 1961840

  • Title: CHINA: China's state television motivates the nation into a war against the weather
  • Date: 31st January 2008
  • Summary: (ASIA) VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN CHINA (RECENT) (CCTV- NO ACCESS CHINA) CHINESE PREMIER WEN JIABAO SPEAKING TO CROWDS THROUGH A LOUDSPEAKER (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE PREMIER WEN JIABAO, SAYING: "We understand your situation. I can tell you that everyone is going to help you." CHINESE PREMIER WEN JIABAO SHAKING HANDS WITH POLICEMEN
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  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Weather
  • Reuters ID: LVA4VQ212DSTKSHS0OTTLCQNGMNG
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: The Chinese nation, stirred up by their leaders, is waging a people's war against the wild winter weather.
    Heavy snows and sleet have cut off power to cities across central China and thousands of New Year passengers have been left stranded in vehicles and train stations due to the bad weather.
    With a chill sweeping through the nation, citizens have mobilised to wage a people's war against the weather and the media is leading the attack with news bulletins from the nation's state broadcaster CCTV showing a nation galvanised into action, overlaid with the song "We are One Family".
    News updates about the weather have been focused on aid work carried out by the government and the army's involvement in helping to tackle the elements.
    China has turned its battle against brutal winter weather into a propaganda push to comfort millions of cold and stranded citizens. Officials have warned that storms will continue lashing many areas.
    For many stranded passengers, the Chinese New Year holiday is the only family reunion they enjoy each year.
    The state media channel is broadcasting a nationwide campaign telling citizens that it can handle the country's hardships and prevent the disaster from stirring up unrest.

    "We usually arrive and spend half an hour handing out food. Today we have already done this five times," said Chang Dezhi.
    Pictures of hard working soldiers and grateful recipients dominate the news broadcasts.

    "To be able to eat hot food is really good," said one lorry driver.
    Snow, sleet and ice blanketing much of central, eastern and southern China have killed dozens, cut power and hobbled transport, stranding people trying to get home for the Lunar New Year holiday, which starts next Wednesday (February 6).
    Officials, spurred on by government leaders' incitement to battle the weather, are shown on television delivering food to trapped drivers.

    "There are no words to describe it. I can't say anything. I'm just too happy."
    The state channels are broadcasting repeated pictures of China's Premier Wen Jiabao visiting stranded passengers, apologising for their situation, calling for a greater effort and thanking officials at the site.

    "We understand your situation. I can tell you that everyone is going to help you," said Wen Jiabao.
    Joseph Cheng, a political science professor at City University in Hong Kong says leaders often take advantage of crises to boost their image with the help of the media.

    "The top leaders in China have certainly become skillful in exploiting the media to build up their image of caring for the people, serving the people, upholding the fine Chinese Communist tradition and at the same time to reduce potential discontent among the people," Cheng explains.

    "Even in the most difficult years, namely the 60's, Chinese authorities then had to make sure that there would be adequate supply of vegetables, pork and so on, to ensure people had a good Chinese New Year. So this in the Chinese tradition becomes a benchmark. If Chinese leaders are talking about serving the people, all the time caring for the people's welfare they have to make sure that people have a nice Chinese new year festival," he added.
    Trains are now beginning to leave stations and roads are clearing but the national weather forecaster said on Thursday that snow and sleet will continue to hit parts of central, eastern and southern provinces for the next 10 days.
    At least 55 people have died, including 25 on Tuesday (January 29) in a bus crash on an icy mountain road.
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