Netizens pay respect to fallen heroes in unique way

Local netizens paid respect to two Chinese UN peacekeepers killed in the violence of conflict-hit South Sudan by flooding a documentary about the pair with digital flowers, Xinhua news agency reported.

The two peacekeepers, Li Lei, 22, and Yang Shupeng, 33, died after their armored vehicle was struck by a mortar shell while guarding a refugee camp near a UN compound for displaced people on July 10, 2016.

When a documentary scene about the pair's fellow peacekeepers not being able to buy fresh flowers to place on the coffins screened, an unexpected thing happened: Chinese netizens flooded the screen with countless digital flowers in real time, a feature on Chinese online videos known as "bullet screen."

The peacekeepers tried their best to buy flowers but failed, as fighting between two army factions in South Sudan was still ongoing.

This gesture from netizens touched many, with numerous media outlets reporting on the flood of digital flowers. Other netizens sent flowers in the comment section as well.

One remarked, "What kind netizens! They are expressing their respect to the heroes and their love to the country in their own unique way." Another said, "Hail to the heroes! And thanks to everyone for heart-warming digital flowers."