Capitalism on Deadly River

Three college students drowned when they were trying to rescue two kids from icy water. Chen Jishi, He Dongxu and Fang Zhao are all freshmen of the Changjiang University in Xiangfan, Hubei. In the afternoon of Saturday October 24, 2009, around 30 classmates were holding a picnic on the bank of Yangtze River. At 2:10, suddenly they heard crying "Somebody fell in water!" Two teenage kids were struggling in the river. They rushed to the scene. Most of them do not swim, so they formed a human ladder to reach to sinking kids. They saved the two kids. Moments later, the 'ladder' was broken by a wave and three of them lost their lives.

The place was a popular tourists destination. It was in bright day light. Many fishing boats were around. When one of the bodies were found, it was within three yards of one of the fishing boats.

A investigative report revealed fishermen refused to safe the drowning college students. They refused to throw a life jacket or even a wooden board when asked by other students. They were waiting.

They were waiting because at running rate, the price tag to lift one body is 12,000 RMB ($2,000). They were waiting to make some money. When University officials came, they were promised the money, but they only recovered two bodies. Then they stopped, and waited for a cash payment before they would recover the third body.

Money Kills Poor People

Xiaolian (little lotus), a 10 years old girl, lived with her grandma and grandpa. Her Mom died when she was four years old. Her father is a lazy bone, who does nothing but hanging around on the streets. Every day in the morning, the 76 years old grandpa would harvest a bunch of bamboo, then the grandpa and the granddaughter would carry the bamboo to the local market. The 50 Kg bamboo would earn them not more than 20 RMB Yuan ($2.50).

Thanks to a TV program who shred lights on the poverty problem in China, Xiaolian's situation was made known to the outsiders. In a short time, a fund with more than 33K RMB Yuan donations was set up for Xiaolian's education as well as emergency medical expenditures of the grandparents. The fund was held and managed by a volunteer committee comprised of a local official, some local residents and Xiaolian's school.

Unfortunately, the money from responsible citizens with good faith did not bring good luck to the family. In order to take control of the money, Xiaolian's father starved the grandparents for four whole days, until the grandpa, his own mother committed suicide by jumping in a river.

The grandpa won't be able to take care of Xiaolian without grandma's help. How will Xiaolin live?

This happened in Xingfu Village, Huojing Town, Qionglai City of Sichuan Province. Xiaolian's full name is Luo Yulian. Her father's name is Luo Yunlin. Her grandpa's name is Luo Jingui. Her grandma throw herself to the river on June 17, 2007.