They cite the US's apology for the incident as a phased success of the Chinese government and people in waging struggles against US hegemony.

"China's steadfast stand against hegemony and power politics in this incident has compelled the US to give in, and also set an example for all peace-loving, justice-upholding nations and countries," said Zhao Yonghui, a student of the History Department of Southwest China Normal University.

Li Jianhong, a student of the Information Management Department of the university, said, "the US government's official apology to the Chinese people has demonstrated a rise in China's comprehensive national strength and its international status. "

He continued, "We believe that the scientific and economic strength determines the comprehensive national strength of a country, and also serves as the foundation for resisting hegemony and power politics.

"We university students in the modern times must study hard and master skills to build China, so as to make our motherland stronger in the future," he added.

Jiang Tao, a self-employed taxi driver in Wuhan City, said, "The Chinese government has upheld justice and national dignity in the s truggle."

"The US's apology does not mean the end of the incident. The US should bear full responsibility for the incident. A country's sovereignty is sacred and brooks no infringement. The US must stop all surveillance activities along China's coastal areas to prevent the recurrence of such incidents," said Chen Yu, a student of the Law Institute of Wuhan University.

Wu Lingli, a student of Central-South China University of Finance, Economics, Political Science and Law, said, "We have been taught a lesson in patriotism from this incident. Only when a country becomes strong and prosperous will it be fearless of any hegemonism. This truth has been proved again and again by history. By turning our patriotic passion into the driving force behind efforts to make China strong, we should learn skills and devote ourselves to the motherland in the future."

Zhang Tianzhen, professor of Nanjing Agricultural University, said, "The United States has committed many outrageous misconducts around the world on the strength of its economic and military might. As a big country, China remains cool-headed and exercises restraint in waging a fearless struggle against hegemony, and vigorously safeguards world peace."

As an old saying goes that a just cause enjoys abundant support, while an unjust cause finds little support, the stand of the Chinese government has enjoyed extensive support of the international community and people all over the world, he noted.

"China must persist in pursuing the reform and opening-up policy and maintaining social stability, do its utmost to expand its economy and take the road of making itself strong and its people prosperous. Only when China catches up with advanced countries, will we be able to safeguard its sovereignty more effectively," he added.

(People's Daily 04/13/2001)