The Earth Groans: Observations and Reflections on the Current State of Grassroots Power in China

The moan of Land: operation of basic government organization in China

If I cannot leave a true report of this tragic era,
I am truly ashamed of the countless souls in heaven who are watching me.

◎Won the Taipei Book Fair Grand Prize, the Independent Chinese PEN Center Writing Award, the Chinese Presence Essay Emerging Talent Award, etc. Following the novella "Love in the 1980s", this is Ye Fu's latest report-style essay!

The earth's inhabitants stretch as far as the eye can see, but the world of fireworks is shrouded in mist.
Many times, you hear groans and feel pain in your ears and eyes, but you are unable to figure out the cause of the disease.

In the spring of 2007, Ye Fu was invited to Wenchuan, in northern Sichuan, to investigate the issue of urban-rural integration. Located on the Sichuan-Shaanxi Highway, Wenchuan, known since ancient times as the "Gateway to Shudu," is a typical county-level region. It's neither large nor small, encompassing ten townships, all nestled in hilly terrain. It's poorer than counties in the southeast, but wealthier than those in the west. If we examine and analyze this region, we'll likely find it more closely resembles the situation of most county-level administrative areas in China.

As I visited the countryside, the ground beneath my feet was clearly brewing a massive storm. The 512 Sichuan earthquake, with its sudden, earth-shaking tremors, sent everyone fleeing in panic. Wenchuan, located only a few dozen kilometers from the hardest-hit areas, also suffered utterly devastating damage. Ye Fu witnessed countless tearful eyes searching for lost loved ones amidst the rubble. Every day, I meticulously documented the disaster and the grassroots government's response and relief measures, feeling the anguish of those whose fates pierced my heart. These were the saddest years of the Chinese nation, the depth of the devastation beyond words!

The questioning of this natural catastrophe may continue for another century. The CCP's grassroots political power has not faced a crisis of this magnitude in a long time. Its response at this moment provides Ye Fu with a vantage point for a more comprehensive examination of the state's functioning and capabilities. From routine operations to crisis response, the power of grassroots political power confronts the rural sentiments of the vast local communities, and there are still many subtle and delicate balances. This book also provides an overview of China's grassroots political system, including its institutional hierarchy and legal framework. Numerous post-disaster stories lend the reportorial prose a local flavor.

Recommended invited prefaces:

Yang Du/Writer, Lin Zhengxiu/Former Director of the Taipei City Civil Affairs Bureau (Participated in Aceh, Indonesia, and aided the Sichuan earthquake reconstruction)
Wang Zhenyao / Former Director of the Disaster Relief Department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of China

2013-11-27

南方家園

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