The Lucky 8

The Chinese believe 8 is a lucky number. It is a sign of infinity and endless blessings. That is also why the opening day of the Beijing Olympics is scheduled at 8:08pm on 8/8/2008. But just months before the Olympic games... 2008 doesn't seem like a lucky year after all for the sleeping giant.

Many Chinese have been killed this year due to several tragedies and incidents. One being the May 12 earthquake which hit several provinces, especially Sichuan province. Almost a hundred thousand is believed to have died and thousands more remain missing up to this day. So-called "quake lakes" also continue to threaten the country and may cause yet another catastrophe. Recently, in another part of China, floods have killed hundreds of people. Continuous rain have caused major blackouts and closure of several establishments.

At the start of the year, China was also plagued by the Enterovirus, affecting over 25-thousand babies. While HongKong is still under the threat of another Bird Flu outbreak. This year, China has also seen at least 2 train accidents, killing several passengers.

And on the global scale, protests were staged around the world wherever the Olympic torch is. Many held anti-China banners.

It would be a colorful and an exciting time to be in China this year. Whether 8 is still lucky or not. The world would be looking at China, considered the next great power. But hopefully, not as a place full of tragedies, but a place were hope still thrives. The world mourns for the many deaths, but hopes China will see a future with zero human rights violations.