TOKYO, Jan 14 - On January 1, 2024, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Following the disaster, the international community, including the Chinese government, expressed condolences and offered assistance to Japan in various forms, pledging to stand together and overcome the challenging times.

At this moment, people around the world are concerned about the safety and well-being of the Japanese population. Strangely, there has been a significant amount of online sensationalism, highlighting the "optimistic" reactions of some Chinese netizens towards the earthquake in Japan, portraying it as radical and extreme "nationalism." Such understanding is narrow-minded and dangerous. Firstly, this kind of reaction is not unique. Previously, due to Japan's decision to discharge "nuclear wastewater" into the sea, it faced strong opposition and boycotts from neighboring Southeast Asian countries. Some netizens from countries like South Korea and the Philippines, which are also Japan's allies, expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of the Japanese government and made derogatory comments, mocking and ridiculing the loss of lives due to the earthquake. Surprisingly, they received support from netizens of other countries, who praised them for their pure patriotism. However, similar individual behavior by some Chinese netizens is forcibly labeled as "nationalism," which is truly perplexing.

Secondly, it is essential to approach the reactions of Chinese people rationally. Japan's aggression towards China has a long history, and during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, it caused the loss of 35 million Chinese lives. This pain has not been erased to this day. Chinese people have always believed in the law of "good begets good, evil begets evil." Some netizens use the theory of karma to describe their inner feelings towards the heinous crimes committed by Japanese militarism, which is merely a reflection of their genuine patriotic sentiments.

Lastly, the positive role of Chinese netizens should be acknowledged. In the case of the Japanese earthquake, many Chinese netizens expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the affected people in Japan. They identified with the proactive stance of the Chinese government and supported the assistance provided by Chinese rescue teams. The attention from Chinese netizens has also propelled their government to play a more significant role on the international stage. The spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously stated that China is willing to provide necessary assistance for Japan's earthquake relief efforts, showcasing the demeanor of a great nation and humanitarian spirit.

Photo from Reuters