Shanghaiist: Quakes test China's openness and readiness

sonyactivision

Tue, 20 May 2008 01:27:14 +0800

China has really shone through in this crisis. Their patronage of the scum that runs Burma does need to stop. What's the point of standing by this regime? Oil? It's not worth it. Look at the U.S., we've twisted our values into a sickening pretzel so we can get another drop from the arabs. We should all walk and bicycle instead!

Les Izmore

Sat, 17 May 2008 03:47:36 +0800

I just have to say I called that one...

nanheyangrouchuan

Fri, 16 May 2008 23:56:02 +0800

"the CCP is not seen as crushing helpless peasants, but helping crushed peasants." Unlike the Myanmar devils, who Beijing so vigorously defends.

321

Fri, 16 May 2008 15:00:48 +0800

And in regards to the construction issue, that will be a good opportunity for Beijing to take out any questionable party cadres in Sichuan and replace them with more loyal ones -- or at the very least, find a few scapegoats to serve time and further distance Beijing from any sort of blame, reinforcing the image of "heroic Beijing."

321

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:55:44 +0800

Of course, the affect of all of this media coverage will be to effectively reverse the negative international sentiment created by the Tibet incidents, unite the nation, create an opportunity to mend egos wounded by the torch protests, reduce international criticism and offer the Chinese people and the Chinese government the sympathy of the world. This naturally a great opportunity for the Chinese leadership, because unlike in the case of Tibet, in this crisis, they are aligned very much with both national and international sentiment. In the wake of the earthquake, the CCP is not seen as crushing helpless peasants, but helping crushed peasants. As we in the states learned after 9/11 (not for the first time), appearing to be "the solution" to a major tragedy offers a huge political mandate. While on one hand, the CCP is not considered to be responsible for this "act of God" (i.e. earthquake), it can present itself as the "good savior" of the common people and thus gain political capital both in and outside of China. Don't believe for a second that this media frenzy is indicative of any increased openness, and I dare you to go test this new "openness" in Tibetan areas. Rather, the key to this openness is that the CCP's hands are clean and it can present the tragedy in a way that leaves it beyond criticism and just maybe some foreigners - like the authors - will commend it. Because the CCP is seen as blameless, the press may cover it largely unfettered, and the CCP has everything to gain from this - if only avoiding the scandal implied by imposing media silence. Don't be surprised if the earthquake is hauled out again at the Olympics, and China's eye-popping displays and medal-count becomes "in memory of those who died." Overcoming tragedy, if only through the symbolism of sport, makes for emotional and powerful propaganda - powerful enough to seduce even outsiders.

Titro

Fri, 16 May 2008 10:46:15 +0800

I heard the town was flattened, no single building left intact.

concor1

Fri, 16 May 2008 10:40:09 +0800

do anyone watch the news? the goverment building crashed as well in most affected area. the most severe affected area are the villages where almost all the villagers are buried under their own house.

concor1

Fri, 16 May 2008 10:37:37 +0800

most buildings crashed are made by the poor farmers themselves. what, accountability on them for being so poor?

nanheyangrouchuan

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:56:45 +0800

"We have seen magnificent government buildings in poor cities where disasters frequently hit; we have seen officials in luxury cars though working in one of the most impoverished county. This time around, we saw elegant government buildings remain intact while dozens of schools crumbled like sand houses." http://www.eeo.com.cn/ens// Observer/2008/05/15/99788.html

Titro

Thu, 15 May 2008 18:37:46 +0800

whoever responsible for poor construction practices should be severely condemned. Those school buildings were only built 10 years ago. At the mean time, I was wondering what kind of building could survive an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale? The government's response to this catastrophe is assuring.

moneyinabox

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:51:44 +0800

Accountability for shoddy construction practices has absolutely nothing to do with the PRC's stellar response to this crisis so far. I think FEMA and the Bush Administration should be taking notes.

yu888

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:47:03 +0800

For once I agree with mr lambskewer. just waiting to see how high accountability will go. Heads will roll, just a matter of how many.

nanheyangrouchuan

Thu, 15 May 2008 13:51:14 +0800

I'll hold my judgment until we read about accountability for poor building construction practices.

Les Izmore

Thu, 15 May 2008 13:02:54 +0800

I can't wait to see who is the first commenter to say this is just another crass political tactic by the CCP...