China's first national condolences for major public health emergencies
China Youth Daily client, Beijing, April 4th (China Youth Daily, China Youth Daily reporter Wang Yijun) Today, China holds the fourth national mourning event since the founding of New China. In order to express the deep condolences of the people of all nationalities in the struggle against the new crown pneumonia epidemic, the state council decided to hold a national mourning event on April 4, 2020. During this period, the national and foreign embassies and consulates were flagged at half-mast, and the country stopped public entertainment activities. From 10 o'clock on April 4th, the people of the country observed a three-minute silence in silence, cars, trains and ships whistle, and air defense alarms sounded.
Professor Zhang Xiang, deputy dean of the School of Law of Renmin University of China, said that the legal basis for expressing condolences and expressing condolences in the form of the lower half of the flag at the time of the death of a special person and the occurrence of special circumstances is based on the relevant Regulations. Unlike our previous national mourning day due to severe natural disasters, this is the first time that our country has launched a national mourning event in accordance with the law due to a major public health emergency.
The National Flag Law of the People ’s Republic of China, effective from October 1, 1990, stipulates that: Chairman of the People ’s Republic of China, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People ’s Congress, Premier of the State Council, Chairman of the Central Military Commission; Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People ’s Political Consultative Conference ; Those who have made outstanding contributions to the People's Republic of China; Those who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of world peace or human progress can die with half flags.
There are two other provisions in this provision: when an unfortunate event of a particularly serious casualty or a serious natural disaster causes a major casualty, you can fall in love with half of the flag. The date and place of the second half flag in accordance with this article shall be determined by the State Council.
Zhang Xiang said that since the implementation of the National Flag Law, China has carried out three national mourning activities to express its deep condolences to the compatriots killed in the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake, the 2010 Qinghai Yushu Earthquake, and the Gansu Zhouqu Mudslide.
"The New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic in early 2020 has swept the country. It is a major public health incident that has the fastest spread, the widest scope of infection, and the most difficult prevention and control since the founding of New China. At present, more than 3,000 compatriots have died and died. It belongs to the unfortunate event of particularly serious casualties stipulated by the National Flag Law. "Zhang Xiang said," The State Council decided in the form of an announcement to hold a national mourning event on the occasion of this year's Qingming Festival, and stipulated the place and time of the second half of the flag in accordance with the law. The rule of law in administration. "
According to Zhang Xiang, the Wenchuan earthquake, the Yushu earthquake in Qinghai, and the Zhouqu debris flow in Gansu are serious natural disasters. This is different from the previous three national mourning activities due to severe natural disasters. National mourning activities are announced by the State Council at the lower half of the flag in some places. It is an extension of the conditions applicable to the lower half of the flag under the National Flag Law. "Before this, in addition to the death of special persons under the national flag law and the second half of the flag during the three national mourning days, there were also On some special events and special days, the lower half of the flag expressed condolences. On the day of the National Memorial Day when the Nanjing Massacre killed the victims, the main venue of the National Memorial Ceremony had a lower half of the flag. "
"The national flag is a symbol and symbol of the People's Republic of China. When the new pneumonia epidemic in China is effectively controlled, the bottom half of the flag is used to mourn the medical staff who rescued and died in the fight against the epidemic, and deeply mourn the compatriots who died in the epidemic, By holding a nationwide mourning event, in the form of silence, whistle, and alarm, people are sent to mourn, remember their compatriots, and pay tribute to the fighters, so as to express people's inner emotions and soothe public emotions, and let the whole society remember the epidemic. The pain and lessons brought by it have gathered the greatest strength of the people of the country to win the fight against the epidemic and continue to move forward. "Zhang Xiang said.