At 14:20 on March 28, 2025, a strong earthquake of 7.9 on the Richter scale suddenly tore apart the land in northern Myanmar like an angry giant beast. The epicenter was located at 21.85 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 30 kilometers. This is the largest earthquake globally so far this year. Just 12 minutes later, a 6.4 magnitude aftershock struck the same area, mercilessly exacerbating the disaster. In an instant, mountains and rivers shook violently, houses collapsed one after another, yet amidst this devastation, the brilliance of humanity shone like bright flames, shining even more brightly under the shadow of disaster—regardless of nationality, regardless of ethnic differences, we firmly and powerfully declare with a shared compassionate heart and practical actions: Tonight, we are all Myanmar people.
Disaster strike: Torn land and broken homes
The tremendous power of this earthquake quickly spread from Myanmar to surrounding areas, affecting regions like Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guizhou in China to varying degrees. The tremors were particularly strong in border cities such as Dehong, Lincang, and Baoshan in Yunnan, and even residents in Kunming, Lijiang, and Dali clearly felt the earth shaking. The situation in the epicenter area of Myanmar is even more devastating, with landslides burying roads and houses under a cascade of earth and stones; transport routes severely disrupted, making it impossible for vehicles to pass; communications completely blocked, making it difficult for the outside world to understand the real situation in the disaster area. Within just a few hours after the quake, the severely affected area urgently declared a state of emergency. Monitoring data from China's seismic network clearly indicates that this earthquake is by no means just a disaster for Myanmar; it is a severe challenge faced by all humanity—it constantly reminds us that every tremor of the earth is never limited by national borders.
Life comes first: Emergency aid across national boundaries
In the face of disaster, the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind has been profoundly interpreted. The China Earthquake Administration quickly activated the emergency response mechanism for overseas earthquakes immediately after the quake occurred. The working team from the Yunnan Earthquake Administration rushed to Ruili City on the China-Myanmar border in a race against time, fully assisting the local government in carrying out urgent rescue work and scientific disaster assessments. From professional seismic assessments to efficient resource allocation; from strong technical support to psychological counseling for affected populations, every action is filled with infinite reverence for life. Meanwhile, Myanmar's National Disaster Management Committee urgently mobilized domestic forces to participate in the battle against the earthquake disaster. The international community also extended a helping hand, with rescue supplies and personnel from around the world continuously converging on the disaster area in Myanmar. At this moment, the footsteps of rescue workers transcend mountains and rivers and the barriers of national borders, vividly interpreting the profound connotation of 'mountains and rivers in different lands, the same wind and moon in the sky'.
Aftershocks and hidden worries: Secondary crises after the disaster
The destructive power of an earthquake goes far beyond the momentary violent shaking. Warnings of local tsunamis may still hang over the areas surrounding the epicenter, and the frequent aftershocks have plunged the disaster-stricken populace into ongoing panic. The already relatively fragile infrastructure in Myanmar's disaster area has suffered severe damage under the earthquake's impact, entering a state of emergency post-quake, with medical supplies in extreme shortage, food supply difficult to ensure, and drinking water severely lacking—these issues urgently need resolution. Meanwhile, the border areas of China cannot afford to lower their guard in the slightest and must closely prevent secondary disasters such as landslides. The 'aftershocks' brought by this disaster deeply remind us: earthquake relief is certainly not a short-lived battle, but a prolonged war that requires a long race against time.
Pledge of unity: Rebuilding hope from pain
Although earthquakes can destroy our buildings and turn our homes into ruins, they can never shake the unwavering will of humanity to unite as one. On social media, the hashtag '#PrayForMyanmar' rapidly went viral, drawing global attention; governments around the world took active measures and urgently allocated various resources; non-governmental organizations also fully utilized their strengths to engage in rescue and post-disaster reconstruction efforts; ordinary citizens were equally unwilling to lag behind, contributing in ways such as donating money, giving blood, and sharing rescue information. Just like the emergency signal rising in the disaster-stricken areas of Myanmar, it is not merely a response to the disaster but a solemn commitment to every single life.
Tonight, the starlight may be obscured by the dust raised by disaster, but the brilliance of humanity will never dim. When we silently light candles from afar to pray for the disaster area; when rescue teams race against time to search for signs of life among the ruins; when a warm 'Don't be afraid, we are together' crosses language and borders, reaching the hearts of every affected individual—we are all jointly writing the same heart-wrenching story: In the face of disaster, no one is an outsider; we are all 'Myanmar people' sailing through wind and rain together.
