Distrust, disbelief, despair.
Two years after their loved ones vanished, many Chinese relatives of those on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 still refuse to believe they are somewhere at the bottom of the Indian Ocean.
The unique circumstances of the disaster -- including conflicting initial accounts, an inconclusive search and a backdrop of scepticism all contribute to their insistence, specialists say.
For many Chinese families, the impact of the disaster was magnified by the one-child policy, which over the past 30 years forced hundreds of millions of parents to pin all their hopes for the future on a single offspring.
Without that hope, one mother said, she "might as well be dead".
But with a two-year deadline to take legal action looming, scores have filed suit for the wrongful deaths of their relatives, even while some insist they are still alive.
In the US, 43 passengers' relatives have sued in New York, and, among other legal actions, on Monday the families of 12 Chinese passengers filed cases against the airline, aircraft manufacturer Boeing, aero-engine maker Rolls Royce and insurers at a Beijing court.
Many of the parents of MH370's 153 Chinese passengers -- among 239 people on board -- are elderly and retired, a time when their children would traditionally have looked after them in a multi-generational household.
“Because of China’s special circumstances, I was only allowed to have one son," said Lin Xiaolan, 51.
"When something like this happens, how can you talk about compensation, settling differences? How can you possibly settle this?”
A gynaecologist from Xining, in the northwestern province of Qinghai, she says she has a “mother’s sixth sense” that her son Lin Annan, 27 at the time, is still alive.
“As mothers, none of us can live normal lives anymore, because there has been no answer to the mystery -- it’s always hanging there, this knot of worry in your heart,” she said.
“If we don’t file suit, it’s equivalent to giving up the right to look for our children. The goal of the lawsuit isn’t to get money, but to seek justice for our children and the truth."
Conspiracy theories
An initial search for the aircraft focused on the South China Sea, before radar traces showed it turning back to cross peninsular Malaysia and over the Indian Ocean. Citing imprecise satellite data, authorities believe it flew south for hours before going down in one of the remotest locations on earth.
A vast Australian-led search of 120,000 square kilometres (46,000 square miles) of seabed has so far failed to locate the wreckage, with only a piece of the plane washing up on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion as solid evidence of its fate.
Conspiracy theories offered relatives a way to try to address the fact that "you do feel powerless, you don’t know what’s happened, and you’re looking for ways to explain it," said Karen Douglas, professor of social psychology at the University of Kent in Britain, who has used MH370 in her research in the field.
Authoritarian governments whose pronouncements are not believed by their citizens could create more fertile ground for such beliefs, she told AFP.
"It makes perfect sense that in a place where you’re forced into a corner and you don't really trust, then it’s likely that conspiracy theories might be more plausible."
'Sold out'
Gao Xianying, 65, who lost her daughter, son-in-law, and three-year-old granddaughter on the flight, moved from Anhui to Beijing so that she can protest daily at the offices of Malaysia Airlines, the Malaysian and US embassies, and China's foreign ministry.
“For days on end I’ll dream the same dream – that my daughter has come home and is calling me ‘mother’,” she said, crying.
“I used to be so happy, my old age was the happiest time of my life -– I raised my daughter well and got her married. But now my whole life has been upended; I’m living, but I might as well be dead.”
Many of the passengers on board MH370 were their family’s primary breadwinners, leaving their families in straitened circumstances.
Wen Wancheng, 65, a retired sewage collector whose 35-year-old son was on board, has borrowed to support his daughter-in-law and two grand-children, aged three and nine.
“My son hasn’t come home and his children are so young. One of the hardest things has been the financial pressure.”
According to lawyers, Malaysia Airlines offered Chinese families compensation of 2.52 million yuan ($386,000) per victim.
Malaysia Airlines said in February that 42 next-of-kin of those on board had collected "full compensation", without giving further details.
Wen looked on those who had taken the money with scorn. “You’ve basically sold out your child. You’re no better than a thief.”
AFP
Tue Mar 08 2016
For many Chinese families, the impact of the disaster was magnified by the one-child policy, which over the past 30 years forced hundreds of millions of parents to pin all their hopes for the future on a single offspring. -Filepix
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.