Spring in Winter

Up to 13 million people are under strict lockdown since nearly a week in 西安 (Xī’ān), 陕西省 (Shǎnxī province), China due to a resurgence of Delta-related COVID-19 cases. Although the country’s draconian “zero-COVID” rule has so far proved exorbitantly expensive and arguably ineffective, 北京 (Běijīng) insisted upon it as the only thing to do in order to save the 24th Winter Olympics, widely expected to be held next February. In such a helpless situation, only faith and hope can help overcome the barbed wire fences and the watchtowers. And thus, in these very days, most public personalities and influential voices whispered their prayers into the wind, including four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) (pictured above), who expressed her solidarity with the oppressed multitudes in 西安 (Xī’ān): “Winter is coming, but spring is not far away. We believe in 西安 (Xī’ān), we support 西安 (Xī’ān), we bless 西安 (Xī’ān): may 长安 (Cháng’ān) be eternal”. Screenshot of sohu.com.