In a news story over on the Asahi Shinbun Digital, despite the Japanese coastguard coming to the aid of a Chinese freighter that had caught fire, the Chinese government has yet to issue a statement of thanks.
Chinese netizens, however, have taken to their keyboards to show their gratitude and express their joy upon hearing about the act of humanity despite relations between the two countries being so bad at this time.
The fire broke out on the Chinese freighter late at night on 20 October around 150km off the coast of the main island of Okinawa.
The Japanese coastguard picked up the freighter’s distress signal and immediately despatched two patrol boats to rescue the stricken Chinese crew. By the early hours of the next morning, all 64 members of the freighter’s crew had been rescued and taken to safety.
This event comes at a time when tensions between Japan and China are perhaps the highest they have been for many years, and despite the fact that the nations remain deadlocked over the rightful ownership of the Senkaku Islands, which has resulted in numerous violent protests in mainland China as well as confrontations on the water.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, has yet to formally thank the Japanese coastguard or government for rescuing the 64 men.
Thankfully, the story has a brighter side.
Upon hearing the news, Chinese internet users posted messages of thanks online, saying: “As we enter into the cold winter, it is great to hear such a heart-warming story,” and “Thankfully, the value of human life is something that is appreciated by all, regardless of geographical location and national borders.”
The Chinese government, meanwhile, stated that, upon becoming aware of the stricken Chinese ship, they had spoken with the Consulate General in Fukuoka, Japan, and had “worked with the Japanese to take appropriate steps to address the situation.”
When asked by a journalist whether China had yet to officially thank Japan for rescuing the 64 men, the representative from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded bluntly: “the consulate is in communication with Japan.”
Thank goodness for everyday net users like you and me, right guys?
Source / title image: The Asashi Shinbun Digital