Seismic diversion

ARTICLE: Quake in China Kills Thousands, By Jill Drew, Washington Post, May 13, 2008; Page A01

Quake in China will be, sad to say, great diversion from Myanmar and Tibet in terms of China's national PR right now. Clearly, given the high-viz response, Beijing's leaders feel need to demonstrate competency relative to junta down south.

Comments

[Dave Porter]

Yes, but is not the "high-viz" aspect of the response (all the TV, youtube coverage) and the acceptance of some foreign assistance part of a significant opening up on China's part - and therefore progress.

On Burma, China needs to recognize that it bears significant responsibility for the failure of the Burmese generals to let in outside humanitarian assistance. China is the country that could lean on Burma the most. So long-term contrasting the effectiveness of the Chinese in meeting the needs of their people post earthquake will only make their failure to assist in getting aid into Burma more obvious.

[William R. Cumming.]

Chinese mobilization of national resources for response for event at least 10 times size of Katrina will give insights into that culture and nation as opposed to current US capability as evidenced by August 2005 Katrina.