Flood Disaster Disclosures Accused of 'disorderly Governance'? Where Are You, General Secretary Xi Jinping?

Heavenly signs and phenomena often correspond to the rise and fall of dynasties, the fortunes and misfortunes of the world, and the blessings and disasters of mankind. (pixabay)

[People News] 'Heavy rains in Chongqing have left at least 17 people missing and 3 dead'; 'Five rivers in Guangxi have exceeded warning levels'; 'Heavy rainfall in many areas of Hubei has led to work and school suspensions'; 'In Shimen County, Hunan Province, extreme heavy rain has resulted in at least 7 deaths and 14 people missing, with Jinjihe Village disappearing'...

In recent days, reports of flood disasters in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) country, including entire villages being destroyed and a significant number of people going missing and dying, have dominated the news. The Central Meteorological Observatory has issued heavy rain warnings for 14 consecutive days from May 12 to May 25. According to the meteorological station, since May 15, many provinces in the CCP country have experienced widespread heavy rainfall. The eastern part of the northwest region and most areas south of North China have seen accumulated precipitation ranging from 50 to 120 millimetres, with some areas in Hubei, Guangxi, Guangdong, and Chongqing exceeding 300 millimeters. Compared to the same period in previous years, 18 provinces, including Inner Mongolia, Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and Shandong, have recorded significantly above-average cumulative precipitation, with over 200 national-level meteorological stations reporting precipitation levels that exceed historical maximums for this time of year.

Mountain floods, along with mudslides, road blockages, and traffic accidents, have become increasingly common. In Jinjiakhe Village, located in Shimen County, Hunan Province, heavy rains and mountain floods have devastated homes and farmland, severed roads, and paralysed communications, leaving the entire village 'almost non-existent.' On the morning of the 24th, several regions, including Wuhan and Jingzhou in Hubei, issued a red rainstorm warning and called for the suspension of gatherings, classes, and business activities. The Wuhan Meteorological Station reported that local rainfall reached between 40 and 70 millimetres within just one hour. Between the morning of May 23 and the morning of May 24, heavy rainfall in certain areas of Chongqing has led to over 20 fatalities and missing persons, with 22 small and medium rivers exceeding warning levels across 37 monitoring stations. However, the official figures regarding loss of life and property have been criticised by the public as significantly understated, with the actual extent of the disaster being much more severe.

Nevertheless, domestic media coverage of the situation has not included any reports of officials visiting or providing comfort to the affected areas; there were no provincial or ministerial-level officials present, nor even city-level officials. Instead, agencies such as the Ministry of Public Security have issued directives to 'not spread rumours, resist false information, and take responsibility for disseminating positive energy,' along with efforts to debunk rumours. In essence, when netizens shared on-the-ground text and images, the Communist Party accused them of spreading negative energy and attempting to disrupt the nation amid the disaster. Party-affiliated media have also attempted to refute claims, asserting that the video depicting 'flooding in Yichang, Hubei, Water Joy City' was actually footage from the previous year.

On the 25th, the Cyber Police of the Ministry of Public Security of the Communist Party of China released a 'proposal' stating that those who disrupt social order will face serious consequences from public security agencies in accordance with the law. Naturally, the determination of what constitutes a disruption of social order lies with the Communist Party's public security. If they label an incident as a crime of disaster and chaos, they can take decisive action. The local authorities will then stabilise the situation, as long as officials can maintain their positions, regardless of the floods and corpses floating in sewage.

Are officials at the ministerial level and above unaware of this situation? Certainly not. Even a single citizen's expression of dissatisfaction reaches them immediately through internal reports. With floods inundating towns and counties and casualties rising, how could they possibly be oblivious to the actions of local officials and public security?

The combined death toll across multiple regions has likely surpassed 36, and with the number of missing persons, the figure is even higher. According to the Communist Party's own statements, this should have raised alarms among party and national leaders. So, where have the top officials in Zhongnanhai been during these past few days? What is Xi Jinping personally overseeing and directing? On the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website, the headlines and prominent sections are filled with news about Xi Jinping's discussions with the Presidents of Serbia and Pakistan, along with congratulatory messages, all presented in a celebratory tone. Strangely, even during the routine press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there was no mention of concern from high-ranking Communist Party officials regarding the flood disaster.

The Chinese public has historically held low expectations of its leaders, but dissatisfaction arises when comparisons are made. They remember how Xi Jinping quickly sent condolences, and the Communist Party dispatched large amounts of supplies in response to natural disasters and man-made crises abroad. As a result, questions are being raised: where are the leaders during critical moments? Why are they lying flat even when it comes to putting on a show? Some netizens commented, 'In the face of natural disasters and man-made calamities, why not take the lead in praying to heaven and apologising? Why not seize the opportunity to perform and win the people's hearts? It seems there is indeed a difference between China and the West.' 

Political analysts note that over the past twenty years, mainland China has faced numerous natural disasters and man-made crises. Currently, the Communist Party leaders are unable to express condolences for the ongoing disasters; otherwise, how could they justify the lengthy condolence messages? The only option left is to gradually silence dissent, block information, and ultimately make the public accept that 'silence is golden,' and that death is something everyone experiences in silence. Meanwhile, the living continue to be regarded by the Communist Party as 'targets for stability maintenance,' and defending rights is viewed as 'provoking trouble.' 

Analysts emphasise that without changing the oppressive regime, disasters will continue to occur. As long as the Communist Party remains in power, the truth about these disasters will always be 'invisible,' and human lives will forever adhere to the logic of 'stability maintenance.' Naturally, a few words of condolence from the Communist Party leaders hold little value for the common people; their indifference or absence at the scene is also inconsequential. 

(People News first published) 
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