China News Agency, Beijing, February 24th: The situation in Ukraine has suddenly changed, and the safety of Chinese people is a concern
Author Jin Xu Li Xiang
On the 24th local time, the Russian armed forces attacked military installations and military airports in several cities in Ukraine.
The situation in Ukraine has suddenly escalated, and the safety of the lives of the local overseas Chinese has touched people's hearts.
Many overseas Chinese and international students have reported their safety to their relatives in China through social media, and broadcast the latest local developments live, telling the turmoil and unease they witnessed with their own eyes.
sudden explosion
Mr. Yang, an overseas Chinese, has lived in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine for many years. "Unexpected" is his most intuitive feeling of this incident.
"I have lived here for a long time, and I have never seen such a scene. Not only I feel it suddenly, but the whole Ukraine feels it suddenly." Mr. Yang said that he was awakened by a loud noise in the distance around 5 o'clock in the morning After that, I didn't know what happened, but I soon saw reports of Kiev being bombed from the Internet.
At the same time, Xiaotu, a girl from Shanxi who was studying for Ph.1 in Kiev, was woken up by the sound of the explosion and did not dare to fall asleep. She reported her safety to her family in time.
She said: "I feel calm recently. I didn't expect to fight, so I didn't do much preparation and didn't change much cash."
According to Xiaotu, at present, she and the overseas Chinese around her are paying attention to the news of the embassy in a timely manner. Although they may feel scared, the general mood is relatively calm.
"The embassy told us to wait at home, take our passports and cash with us, and we will make arrangements if we have anything. It is best not to run around by ourselves. We are in a residential area and should be fine."
On February 24, local time, in Kiev, Ukraine, after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in the Donbas region on the 24th, Kiev people drove out of the city.
Supplies may be in short supply
As the situation deteriorated, Ukraine was enveloped in a tense, chaotic atmosphere.
The roads leading to neighboring cities in Kiev, Ukraine's capital, were blocked, huge anti-aircraft sirens continued to echo in the air, and long queues were formed at banks, gas stations and supermarkets...
During the interview, Yang Fan, a Chinese student at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music in Ukraine, was on his way to buy emergency supplies.
She said that she planned to buy flashlights and some cans as emergency supplies, but the crowds rushing to buy daily necessities have already lined up outside the supermarket.
Mr. Dai, who lives in Poltava, Ukraine, went out to buy things early in the morning. "Running everywhere! Gas stations, supermarkets, and banks are all crowded with people. I didn't buy anything when I came out, so I had to go home and hide." He said.
He Gensheng, vice-chairman of the Ukraine-China Chamber of Commerce, said that the Chinese embassy in Ukraine has been reminding Chinese citizens and Chinese-funded enterprises in Ukraine to pay attention to safety and to reserve some necessities such as food and drinking water in due course.
He and some friends had prepared a month's supply of grain, oil, rice, noodles and other supplies half a month ago.
When local overseas Chinese are hoarding supplies for emergencies and ensuring that daily life can be maintained, new problems also follow.
Zhang Xinxin, Minister and Secretary General of the Literature and Art Department of the Student Union of Lviv University, told reporters that her city is located in western Ukraine, and the whole city is about to enter a state of disconnection. As for when it will be restored, she has not informed.
Xiaotu said that the price of air tickets has already risen due to the impact of the epidemic. Now, coupled with uncertain factors such as tension, it is even more difficult to find a ticket to return to China.
On February 24, local time, the situation in Ukraine deteriorated sharply, and people in many places lined up in front of ATMs to withdraw cash.
The picture shows the citizens of Mariupol lining up to withdraw money on the street.
The ancestral (home) country is a reassurance
Facing the situation in Ukraine, the Chinese embassy in Ukraine constantly updated the news, reminding Chinese citizens and Chinese-funded enterprises to further strengthen security precautions: Chinese citizens should stay at home and stay away from windows and glass to avoid accidental injury.
Keep in touch with the local Overseas Chinese Association, International Students Association, Chinese Chamber of Commerce and acquaintances, exchange information and help each other.
"The embassy's reminder that 'Chinese citizens can put the Chinese flag on the body obviously' is like a reassurance for us who are overseas, and the strength of our ancestral (home) country makes people feel reassured." Living in Kiev for many years When accepting the live connection of Chinanews.com, Mr. Li said that there are about 3,000 or 4,000 overseas Chinese living in Kiev, and they are distributed in all walks of life. In difficult times, everyone should remember the reminder from the embassy and help each other to tide over the difficulties together.
Xu Guidong, vice president of the Overseas Chinese Association in Ukraine, said that local Chinese friends are reminding each other to pay attention to safety. "Fortunately, we have made some preparations earlier, and it is a normal state of mind now."
Mr. Li, a Chinese living in Kiev, Ukraine, said that he has packed up important things such as passports and ID cards, waiting for the embassy's notice to evacuate at any time. He believes that the embassy and the country of origin can protect us.
(over)