Today, China holds the fourth national mourning event since the founding of New China. In order to express the deep condolences of the people of all ethnic groups in the country in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic at the expense of martyrs and deceased compatriots, the State Council decided to hold a national mourning event on April 4, 2020. During this period, the national and foreign embassies and consulates were flagged at half-mast, and the country stopped public entertainment activities. From 10 o’clock on April 4th, the people of the country observed a three-minute silence in silence, cars, trains and ships whistle, and air defense alarms sounded.
Professor Zhang Xiang, deputy dean of the School of Law of Renmin University of China, said that the legal basis for expressing condolences and expressing condolences in the form of the lower half of the flag at the time of the death of special persons and special circumstances occurs is based on Regulations. Unlike our previous national mourning day due to severe natural disasters, this is the first time that our country has launched a national mourning event in accordance with the law due to a major public health emergency.
The National Flag Law of the People ’s Republic of China, effective from October 1, 1990, stipulates that: the President of the People ’s Republic of China, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People ’s Congress, the Prime Minister of the State Council, and the Chairman of the Central Military Commission; ; Those who have made outstanding contributions to the People’s Republic of China; Those who have made outstanding contributions to the cause of world peace or human progress can die with half flags.
There are two other provisions in this provision: when an unfortunate event of a particularly serious casualty or a serious natural disaster causes a major casualty, you can fall in love with half of the flag. The date and place of the second half flag in accordance with this article shall be determined by the State Council.
Zhang Xiang said that since the implementation of the National Flag Law, China has carried out three national mourning activities to express its deep condolences to the compatriots killed in the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake, the 2010 Qinghai Yushu Earthquake, and the Gansu Zhouqu Mudslide.
“The COVID-19 epidemic in early 2020 has swept the country. It is a major public health incident that has the fastest spread, the widest infection range, and the most difficult prevention and control since the founding of New China. At present, more than 3,000 compatriots have died and died It belongs to the unfortunate event of particularly serious casualties as stipulated by the National Flag Law. “Zhang Xiang said,” The State Council decided to hold a national mourning event on the occasion of this year’s Qingming Festival in the form of an announcement, and specified the place and time of the second half of the flag in the announcement. The rule of law governing by law. ”
According to Zhang Xiang, the Wenchuan earthquake, the Yushu earthquake in Qinghai, and the Zhouqu debris flow in Gansu are serious natural disasters. This is different from the previous three national mourning activities due to severe natural disasters. National mourning activities are announced by the State Council at the lower half of the flag in some places. It is an extension of the conditions applicable to the lower half of the flag under the National Flag Law. “Before this, in addition to the death of special persons under the national flag law and the second half of the flag during the three national mourning days, there were also On some special events and special days, the lower half of the flag expressed condolences. On the day of the National Memorial Day when the Nanjing Massacre killed the victims, the main venue of the National Memorial Ceremony had a lower half of the flag. ”
“The national flag is a symbol and symbol of the People’s Republic of China. When the COVID-19 epidemic in China is effectively controlled, the bottom half of the flag is used to mourn the medical staff who saved the wounded and died in the fight against the epidemic, and deeply mourn the compatriots who died in the epidemic. By holding a nationwide mourning event, in the form of silence, whistle and alarm, let people pin their condolences, remember their compatriots and pay tribute to the fighters, so as to express people’s inner emotions and soothe public emotions, and let the whole society remember this time The pain and lessons brought about by the epidemic have gathered the greatest strength of the people across the country to win the fight against the epidemic and continue to strive forward. “Zhang Xiang said.