Starting from 10:00 on April 4, people across the country observed a three-minute silence. Cars, trains, and ships blew their horns and air-raid sirens sounded. We have seen flags flying at half-mast in our lives, but when it comes to why the flags are flying at half-mast and the

Announcement from the State Council: In order to express the deep condolences of the people of all ethnic groups across the country for the martyrs and compatriots who died in the fight against the new coronavirus epidemic, it has been decided to hold a national mourning event on April 4, 2020. During this period, flags were flown at half-mast across the country and at embassies and consulates abroad, and public entertainment activities were suspended nationwide. Starting from 10:00 on April 4, people across the country observed a three-minute silence. Cars, trains, and ships blew their horns and air-raid sirens sounded.

We have seen flags flying at half-mast in our lives, but when it comes to why the flags are flying at half-mast and the origin of the flags flying at half-mast, we are not very clear about it. Here is a detailed introduction for you.

Flying the flag at half-mast is a national behavior. It is usually used to express the grief and condolences of the people across the country when some important person dies or a major unfortunate event or a serious natural disaster occurs (the Saudi flag and the Somali flag are national flags that are not allowed to fly at half-mast. The reason is that the flag on the flag Record the Shahadah, which contains the name of God, so the flag must not be flown at half-mast).

The origin of the half-mast flag

1612 When the British ship Haze was exploring the waterway leading to the Pacific Ocean in northern North America, the captain unfortunately passed away. In order to show their respect for the late captain, the crew lowered the flag of the mast to a distance from the top of the flagpole. When the Haze Eyes successfully completed its mission and sailed back to the Thames, they came to greet him. The people were surprised to find this unusual flag, and after asking, they learned that the flag on the mast was at half-mast in memory of the deceased captain. By the second half of the 17th century, this method of mourning had been widely adopted by European countries. Later spread to various countries in the world.

The history of half-mast flags in China

On June 28, 1990, the 14th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Seventh National People's Congress passed the "Flag Law of the People's Republic of China". In Article 14 of the "Flag Law", Flags may be flown at half-mast in mourning under the following circumstances:

(1) The death of the President of the People's Republic of China, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Premier of the State Council, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission;

(2) The death of the Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference;

(3) ) The death of a person who has made outstanding contributions to the People's Republic of China ;

(4) The death of a person who has made outstanding contributions to world peace or human progress;

(5) An unfortunate event with particularly heavy casualties or a serious natural disaster causing heavy casualties. At this time, flags can be flown at half-mast to express condolences.

Before the passage of the National Flag Law of the People's Republic of China, there were no clear legal provisions on the circumstances under which the national flag could be flown at half-mast. Prior to this, 20 national leaders in China held flags at half-mast. They are Ren Bishi (1950), Luo Ronghuan (1963), Xie Fuzhi (1972), He Xiangning (1972), Deng Zihui (1972), Li Fuchun (1975), Dong Biwu (1975), Kang Sheng (1975), Zhou Enlai (1976), Zhu De ( 1976), Mao Zedong (1976), Guo Moruo (1978), Luo Ruiqing (1978), Su Zhenhua (1979), Liu Shaoqi (1980), Soong Ching Ling (1981), Liao Chengzhi (1983), Liu Bocheng (1986), Ye Jianying (1986) , Hu Yaobang (1989). There were several Chinese people among whom the United Nations lowered their flags at half-mast after their deaths.

The first one is Zhou Enlai. Premier Zhou worked diligently to contribute to the people throughout his life. After the founding of New China, Zhou Enlai served as Prime Minister of the Government Affairs Council and Prime Minister of the State Council for 26 years, serving the people personally. His outstanding diplomatic skills have won a lot of space for New China to survive in the international arena. Premier Zhou passed away in Beijing on January 8, 1976.

The second person who asked the United Nations to lower the flag at half-mast was Zhu De, one of the main founders and leaders of the People's Republic of China. He participated in the Nanchang Uprising of the "Revolution of 1911", the Anti-Japanese War, and the Liberation War. After the founding of New China, he was awarded the title of the top ten founding marshals because of his outstanding achievements. He was also the only commander-in-chief of the Kuomintang and Communist military forces in modern China. On July 6, 1976, Zhu De died of illness, and the United Nations flew its flag at half-mast to mourn him.

The third one is Mao Zedong. Without Chairman Mao, there would be no new China.Chairman Mao is the most important founder of New China. He led the Chinese farmers to carry out the Anti-Japanese War through armed revolution, and truly enabled the Chinese people to live a safe and happy life. He ushered in a new historical era. Chairman Mao's contribution was huge. When Chairman Mao passed away due to illness on September 9, 1976, the United Nations flew its flag at half-mast in mourning for him. Leaders or their representatives from 105 countries visited the Chinese embassy to express condolences, and flags from 53 countries were flown at half-mast.

The fourth is Soong Ching Ling. She is the wife of Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the country. She worked hard for the reunification of the motherland, safeguarded world peace, and promoted human progress, and made indelible contributions. It is admired and loved by the Chinese people and overseas Chinese, and has also won praise and love from international friends, and enjoys high prestige. After her death, the United Nations flew flags at half-mast in her honor.

The fifth person to ask the United Nations to lower the flag at half-mast was Deng Xiaoping. Deng Xiaoping was not only a senior general during the Anti-Japanese War and the War of Liberation, but also one of the main leaders of New China. He constructively proposed "reform and opening up" and "one country, two systems". Creative thoughts. He has made huge contributions to China's economic development and is therefore known as the chief architect of China's reform, opening up and modernization drive. He died of illness on February 19, 1997, and the United Nations also flew flags at half-mast in his honor.

The sixth one may have never been heard of. He is martyr Du Zhaoyu from Jinan, Shandong Province. He was a Chinese military observer to the United Nations in Lebanon during his lifetime. On July 26, 2006, the United Nations observation post where Du Zhaoyu was located was accidentally bombed by the Israeli Air Force. Du Zhaoyu and Three United Nations military observers from other countries died at the same time. Du Zhaoyu is only 34 years old. The next day, the United Nations Headquarters held a mourning ceremony with flags at half-mast for the peacekeepers who died in the line of duty in Lebanon.

In addition, there are three special flags flown at half-mast in China to mourn the serious natural disasters that have occurred in the country in recent years. The three earthquakes were the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan on May 13, 2008, which killed 69,227 people, injured 374,643 people, and 17,923 people were missing; the Yushu earthquake in Qinghai Province on April 14, 2010, which killed 2,698 people and injured 270 people; and the Yushu earthquake in Qinghai Province in August 2010. On the 7th, the Zhouqu mudslide caused 1,557 deaths, 284 missing, and a total of 2,315 outpatient treatments.

But this time, in the face of the fierce new coronavirus epidemic, after the arduous battle to prevent and control the new coronavirus epidemic across the country, on March 23, the central government made it clear that the spread of the local epidemic nationwide, with Wuhan as the main battlefield, has been basically blocked. In this spring season, the domestic epidemic is gradually coming to an end. Although the country has seen the dawn of victory, the epidemic abroad is still showing an expanding trend, and the pressure of domestic and overseas imports is still great. In this invisible battle, we witnessed the resolute confidence of the party and the government and the touching scenes of unity from top to bottom. At the same time, we also saw the hard work of countless medical staff and people from all walks of life fighting on the front line. Together, we believe we will win this battle!

The notice issued by the State Council to lower the flag at half-mast and stop entertainment activities on April 4 not only allows us to commemorate those most beautiful "rebels" and our deceased compatriots, but also allows us to learn to cherish life, cherish the life in front of us, and establish a healthy life concept. . So as to welcome a better life!