Smearing airlines’ rescue efforts senseless

Source:Global Times Published: 2015-4-28 0:23:01

Hours after the devastating earthquake in Nepal, several Chinese airlines were highly praised both at home and abroad for sending flights to evacuate Chinese citizens. Timely rescue from the homeland has also displayed China's growing national strength.

However, falsehoods soon emerged. It was said that anyone with a Chinese passport could board chartered planes without having to buy a ticket. Many insiders suspected this was fake information because it does not conform to international norms. But they cannot stop many ignorant people hailing the bogus news, because they are willing to see the government take care of everything for them.

Soon enough the rumor was denied, but more rumors took its place. It was said that all passengers on the chartered planes should buy tickets, many of which were sold at exorbitant prices by airlines. Authorities soon denied this absurd story, but deliberately ignoring the fact, many rumormongers kept using it to smear the reputation of Chinese airlines.

Though rescue efforts are organized by governments, people to be rescued need to be cooperative, including accepting commercial rescue schemes, which is an international norm.

Examples can be found in a lot of countries. For example, during the Egyptian turmoil in 2011, when the Canadian government evacuated its citizens, every passenger in the chartered plane had to sign a letter of guarantee, promising to pay the government $400 after they got back. In the same situation, British citizens had to pay 300 pounds ($455.41) if they took the British government's chartered planes. In the fourth Middle East war in 1973, the Japanese government also charged their citizens, some of whom, if they did not have enough, could borrow from the government.

In many emergencies, "money" is no longer the biggest concern. Most travelers stranded in an airport can afford an air ticket. In fact, they don't have an issue with buying a ticket to return home. If there are a few who are financially stranded, their problems can be solved through normal practice.

Accusing airlines of "indifference" when they request travelers to buy tickets is illogical. It is even more senseless to attack the government's efforts to rescue its nationals. These people's demands are unreasonable and will only disturb the evacuation process.

The rescue plan that the Chinese government executed in Nepal was a success at a time when nationals traveling abroad need help the most. It embodies the progress the country has made. It is by no means an honor to dismiss such progress at this time.

Posted in: Editorial

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