Imagine you are standing in a crowded square, waiting for days for a train that may never come. You are hungry and tired, desperate to go home for the Spring Festival.
This is what happened in January 2008 at Guangzhou Railway Station. A severe winter storm paralyzed the transportation system of southern China, leaving 400 thousand passengers in the chaotic station for 11 days.
This is a painful lesson for all Chinese, and also a story of resilience and hope. We worked together to avoid similar incidents. In 2010, Guangzhou South Railway Station, a large transportation hub was put into use. In 2011, online ticket sales were introduced. In 2018, 10 years after the incident, just 10 minutes was enough to board on a train in the same station.
Chinese people are strong and united. No storm can stop us from moving forward. No difficulty can stop us from celebrating our culture. No challenge can stop us from embracing a brighter future.
Thank you!