(Clearwisdom.net) After the news agencies around the world reported that Jiang Zemin had died (or was dying or brain-dead), people in China began celebrating the event in different ways. Many people bought and set off firecrackers.
People in one city in North-Eastern China began setting off firecrackers around July 6-7. Sounds of firecrackers were heard every night, and culminated on July 23. Beginning at around 8:30 p.m., firecrackers were heard every now and then, and by 9:00 p.m., the entire downtown area sounded like a New Year's festival. Some citizens heard the news and went to buy firecrackers right away. A friend working at the supermarket said that several groups went to his supermarket looking for firecrackers. It was said that many supermarkets very quickly sold out all of their firecrackers. Many people asked what the occasion was. When they learned that Jiang might have died they said happily, “Marvelous! He should have died a long time ago. I’m going to buy firecrackers too.”
Many citizens went to the streets, or opened their windows to watch and listen to the firecrackers.
Some people’s first reaction toward the news of Jiang’s death: “He should have died a long time ago.”
On July 8, after hearing the news of Jiang’s possible death, two retired professors were somewhat stunned at first, and then said, “It is wonderful. He should have died a long time ago. Let’s buy some firecrackers to celebrate.”
The same day, a department manager heard the news, and said contemptuously, “He is nothing. He should have died a long time ago.”
An older mechanic heard the news and said, “He has made our lives miserable.” A farmer whose car was being fixed said, “We could barely survive, and couldn't afford to see a doctor when we were sick.”
On July 9, people were celebrating Jiang’s death in the neighborhoods:
Many people on the streets said, “Let's go buy some firecrackers.”
At the supermarket, someone said to me, “Do you know that Jiang Zemin has died? People are setting off firecrackers to celebrate.” I went downstairs after work to set off firecrackers. People asked me, “What are you doing? Why the firecrackers?” I said, “Don’t you know that Jiang Zemin is being reported dead? He did a lot of evil things. He sold off part of the Chinese territory to Russia. He was corrupt, had affairs, and spent millions for his luxurious private jet.”
"Falun Gong will be vindicated."
One day I passed by a park at the corner of the street and saw two seniors arguing. One said that the country's time under Mao Zedong was better, and the other said now is better. I said, “Neither was good, otherwise society wouldn't be like it is now. You two shouldn't argue any more. Have you heard the reports of Jiang's death?” One said, “That’s great. Falun Gong will be vindicated. We should celebrate.” I said that people were doing so already and that's why they heard the firecrackers.
"Jiang should have died long ago."
In a taxi, I asked the driver if he was a Chinese Communist Party member. He said, “I have not been one for a long time. It is so bad. I stopped paying the membership fees and attending its activities a long time ago.” I told him that it wasn't enough because he had sworn to join it, and he needed to declare his withdrawal with a true intention. He said, “Fine, I’ll quit.” I said, “Have you heard the reports of Jiang's death?” He said, “He should have died a long time ago. He killed those college students in 1989 at Tiananmen Square, and persecuted Falun Gong practitioners. Everyone hates him.”
