Massive Earthquake in China

[Edi]

If my morning paper was anywhere near accurate, there are at least 60,000 people missing and close to 30k confirmed dead and the count is rising fast.

[PainRack]

The Chinese government has really gone all-out about this. Despite the Tibetan terrorists and their actions recently, they've deployed all of their special forces, simply because they could get there faster, to help with disaster relief work. Fat chance the US government would ever redeploy troops from, say, Iraq, to help in a disaster in the United States. The Chinese have tens of thousands of military personnel now on hand and more coming by rail and road, and they marched into the most remote areas on foot over rugged, broken terrain in weather where they can't land Mi-8s.

It once again occurs to me that China would be a fundamentally better place to live in than the United States--but I've held that opinion for a good two years now.

Sorry, do you have this source about China moving in special forces? Over here, it seems that they're simply using their paramilitary police as extra hands, including regular army units for logistic and other support.... They're didn't move in international teams because as they said, the transportation networks for the area are utterly congested.

[montypython]

Sorry, do you have this source about China moving in special forces? Over here, it seems that they're simply using their paramilitary police as extra hands, including regular army units for logistic and other support.... They're didn't move in international teams because as they said, the transportation networks for the area are utterly congested.

The PLA 15th Airborne Corps according to Chinese media sources was sent to help with the situation, which is a rapid deployment force similar to the 82nd Airborne.

[fgalkin2]

The Chinese government's response to the earthquake was nothing short of outstanding and they deserve every credit for doing their best to try to save lives (in sharp contrast to their response to the 1976 earthquake, or hell, the US's response to Katrina).

On the other hand, we private citizens, instead of just talking about this, should be donating money to various relief organizations right now if we hadn't done so already.

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Broomstick]

Anyone else hear about a dam showing extensive damage from this quake? I caught a reference in passing on the TV, but no more details.

A damn collapse would just be more insult to injury.

[Stuart]

The Chinese government's response to the earthquake was nothing short of outstanding and they deserve every credit for doing their best to try to save lives (in sharp contrast to their response to the 1976 earthquake, or hell, the US's response to Katrina).

Agreed; the Chinese appear to have done an excellent job, moving fast, decisively and with every asset they could get their hands on. Ina ddition, they're pulling in aid (money, goods and workers) from anybody who offers it - and that includes Taiwan and South Korea (nasty message for Kim Jong-Il there and a nicer one for Taiwan). The Politbureau's first statement was that the first priority was to save lives, everything else was secondary. They've really highlighted what a bungling, self-centered incompetent bunch of creeps the Myanmar junta really are.

Now, I hope nobody for one second believes the Chinese response is out of the goodness of their hearts. In fact, they're actions are undoubtedly part of a carefully-balanced response. They're "showing themselves" (read presenting themselves as) to be a reliable, relatively humane government that cares about its internal and external political image. That also distinguises them from the Myanmar Junta who don't care what people think of them. That doesn't change the fact the Chinese are doing all the right things with great efficiency.

On the other hand, we private citizens, instead of just talking about this, should be donating money to various relief organizations right now if we hadn't done so already.

Which can be done either via the Red Cross or Chinese domestic groups. Try HERE

[Broomstick]

It is also consistent with the Chinese tradition of putting the benefit of the group first that they would render assistance to their own and even accept outside aid. It is NOT in the self-interest of any government to allow their citizens to languish in a disaster zone. Enlightened self-interest alone (without need for appeal to altruism) would dictate that the rulers do what is necessary to help out the people. Myanmar's jackasses are shooting themselves in the foot (and isn't there another storm headed their way?)

The way the Chinese have handled this makes them look good to both their own and the larger international community. Win/win. As opposed to the Myanmar lose/lose.

[Edi]

Even as fast as they are moving, it's not going to stop this death toll from climbing far and fast. The confirmed reports we have now are from areas that have already been reached and even then they are partial. We just had a report on our evening news from Beichian or something like that, a fairly big town built in a mountain pass. Not only had the earthquake destroyed most buildings, it had brought half the mountain down on the city. And the reporter and her cameraman got into the town ahead of the military and aid convoys, which were hampered by wrecked roads and just milling around outside town. The road through that pass is the only way to some dozen more towns in the area, where nobody has even visited yet, but survivors had been trickling in after walking 100-200 km from their homes because everything there is leveled.

If this bodycount stops at 100k, I'll be very surprised.

[fgalkin2]

The Chinese government's response to the earthquake was nothing short of outstanding and they deserve every credit for doing their best to try to save lives (in sharp contrast to their response to the 1976 earthquake, or hell, the US's response to Katrina).

Agreed; the Chinese appear to have done an excellent job, moving fast, decisively and with every asset they could get their hands on. Ina ddition, they're pulling in aid (money, goods and workers) from anybody who offers it - and that includes Taiwan and South Korea (nasty message for Kim Jong-Il there and a nicer one for Taiwan). The Politbureau's first statement was that the first priority was to save lives, everything else was secondary. They've really highlighted what a bungling, self-centered incompetent bunch of creeps the Myanmar junta really are.

And now it looks like they will be hit by another cyclone. The people in the affected areas have to learn of this from foreign news outlets, because the Burmese press is forbidden to speak on the matter.

Does Burma have an overpopulation propblem, because, I swear, it looks like they're purposefully trying to kill as many of their people as possible.

Now, I hope nobody for one second believes the Chinese response is out of the goodness of their hearts. In fact, they're actions are undoubtedly part of a carefully-balanced response. They're "showing themselves" (read presenting themselves as) to be a reliable, relatively humane government that cares about its internal and external political image. That also distinguises them from the Myanmar Junta who don't care what people think of them. That doesn't change the fact the Chinese are doing all the right things with great efficiency.

As callous as this sounds, the earthquake was a godsend to China in terms of their image abroad. Everyone has immediately forgotten about Tibet, and all the news are reporting how China is doing everything possible to help those in need. A better PR opportunity could not be imagined.

Which can be done either via the Red Cross or Chinese domestic groups. Try HERE

Thanks for the link. I've already donated through the China Earthquake Relief Fund of American Red Cross.

Perhaps we should have an SDN donation drive.

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Stuart]

Myanmar's jackasses are shooting themselves in the foot

You do realize that there are jackasses all over the world who take grave exception to being associated with the Myanmar military don't you?

(and isn't there another storm headed their way?)

There is indeed and its building up into another cyclone.

The way the Chinese have handled this makes them look good to both their own and the larger international community. Win/win. As opposed to the Myanmar lose/lose.

No disagreement there. I honestly can't figure out what the Myanmar government thinks its playing at. One friend of mine in that part of the world is hypothesizing that they're afraid the foreigners will arrive and not leave (which isn't actually an impossibility, if ever a country needed regime change, its Myanmar).

Does Burma have an overpopulation propblem, because, I swear, it looks like they're purposefully trying to kill as many of their people as possible.

It's beginning to look very much like the start of the Killing Fields did back in 1975 (I was in SEA when that started and there are quite a few similarities between the Khmer Rouge and the Myanmar Military Morons.) I hope this time around the international community has the gumption to go in there and clean the garbage out before a couple of million people die.

[fgalkin2]

It figures that my paranoid ideas turn out to be close to the mark.

The world can be a terribly crappy place sometimes.

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

It's beginning to look very much like the start of the Killing Fields did back in 1975 (I was in SEA when that started and there are quite a few similarities between the Khmer Rouge and the Myanmar Military Morons.) I hope this time around the international community has the gumption to go in there and clean the garbage out before a couple of million people die.

I wouldn't mind the ASEAN governments getting another embarassment for their stupid inaction.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Sorry, do you have this source about China moving in special forces? Over here, it seems that they're simply using their paramilitary police as extra hands, including regular army units for logistic and other support.... They're didn't move in international teams because as they said, the transportation networks for the area are utterly congested.

Yes. I have a friend in Hong Kong who is unusually well connected. I'm not prepared to elaborate, though several Chinese language news sources he produced for me seemed to be talking about the same thing--I have taken a year of Chinese, so I have some limited comprehension of the characters and pinyin.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

If my morning paper was anywhere near accurate, there are at least 60,000 people missing and close to 30k confirmed dead and the count is rising fast.

Oh, I could easily see 115,000 dead, but at the same time, there's whole areas that contact has been lost with; the people there could be alive, but unable to communication, if homeless and hungry. Some of the missing, in short, will start turning up as survivors. It'll be at least 50,000 fatalities regardless.

[hongi]

Now, I hope nobody for one second believes the Chinese response is out of the goodness of their hearts. In fact, they're actions are undoubtedly part of a carefully-balanced response. They're "showing themselves" (read presenting themselves as) to be a reliable, relatively humane government that cares about its internal and external political image. That also distinguises them from the Myanmar Junta who don't care what people think of them. That doesn't change the fact the Chinese are doing all the right things with great efficiency.

Obviously the quickness and scale of the response is due to China wanting a good PR image, but I imagine they'd still put in a similar effort if the Olympics weren't being held there.

On the other hand, we private citizens, instead of just talking about this, should be donating money to various relief organizations right now if we hadn't done so already.

Which can be done either via the Red Cross or Chinese domestic groups. Try HERE[/quote]

[hongi]

Er, I meant to say thank you for the link.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

And here we have a Chinese article explaining how the Chinese people are being allowed to help where the American people were not in Katrina.

It's in the Chinese, so I'll just provide a few semi-translated snippets: Basically, this article is about somebody from a construction company in Jiangsu (The province around Shanghai) who drove all the way to Sichuan--with sixty pieces of heavy machinery. To elaborate and combine a bit with other sources: Taxi drivers and van drivers in Chengdu have been driving to and fro the disaster areas as can be reached, free of charge. Random people are driving earthmovers, power-shovel equipped trucks and small diesel generators to Dujiangyan; so much so that the Chengdu authorities are putting up a new liason post to deal with that.

[Ypoknons]

Yes. I have a friend in Hong Kong who is unusually well connected. I'm not prepared to elaborate, though several Chinese language news sources he produced for me seemed to be talking about the same thing--I have taken a year of Chinese, so I have some limited comprehension of the characters and pinyin.

I'm surprised that a Hong Kong type would be so well informed about movements of the military on the mainland. But news sources make sense.

It's such a shame too. Sichuan had some of the most amazing country-side and the people were absolutely friendly - they gave our friends a ride up the mountain in their truck. I didn't walking up the mountain though, with its villages and swingy bridges and rivers. I've heard the same went for BurMyanmar, even though I've never been their myself.

[FSTargetDrone]

Anyone else hear about a dam showing extensive damage from this quake? I caught a reference in passing on the TV, but no more details.

A damn collapse would just be more insult to injury.

A bit here from Sky News' website:

Quake Town Threatened By Cracking Dam

Updated:02:25, Thursday May 15, 2008

Chinese troops have rushed to plug "extremely dangerous" cracks in a dam wall, upriver from the earthquake-devastated town of Dujiangyan.

The state-run news agency Xinhua said that 2,000 troops had been sent to work on the Zipingku Dam in Sichuan province.

Speaking from Dujiangyan, Sky's China correspondent Peter Sharp said many local people seemed unaware of the threat.

"It (the dam) is only five kilometres away, we are downstream of it," he said.

"We understand that some of the People's Liberation Army troops that are deployed here helping with the rescue operation... 2,000 of them [have been moved] upriver to seal some serious cracks in the dam wall."

In a separate report, Xinhua said Dujiangyan would be "swamped" if there was major problems at the dam.

It reported that the water resources ministry had set-up an emergency command centre at the dam "to discharge the reservoir's rising waters and guarantee that the damage posed no threat to Dujiangyan and the neighbouring Chengdu Plain."

The discovery comes as more rescuers reach Sichuan to speed up the search for survivors.

Officials fear that time is running out for thousands still buried under rubble.

The government dispatched 54,000 troops to the southwestern region to dig for victims as the national death toll from Monday's 7.9-magnitude tremor climbed to nearly 15,000.

Xinhua said more than 14,000 people were still missing and nearly 26,000 people had been buried.

Earlier, it reported that at least 7,700 people had died in one of the small towns worst hit by the disaster.

Survivors at the rural epicentre of the quake have finally begun to receive vital aid as China's army made its first airdrops of food in the stricken region.

The destruction around the epicentre in the remote county of Wenchuan is massive, with whole mountainsides sheared off, highways ripped apart and buildings flattened.

Rescue teams have been seen pulling bodies and badly-injured survivors out of the ruins of schools, factories, hospitals and houses.

In towns and villages across a swathe of Sichuan, grief-stricken families are still searching for missing loved ones.

Others are wandering the streets looking for shelter, clothes and food.

In the city of Mianzhu, where at least 3,000 died, rescuers pick through twisted metal and concrete trying to find people, whose voices can be heard coming from the rubble.

More rain is forecast for later this week, which would raise the risk of new landslides in the mountainous region.

:: Unconfirmed reports also say a group of 15 British tourists may be among those trapped following the quake.

[Chris OFarrell]

Thats not good. Especially if there is heavy weather on the way that might stress the dam.

And despite the efforts of the PRC Government, evacuating the 'at risk' areas given the breakdown in roads and rail networks will be a logistical nightmare...

Asia has had a really shitty month and THATS putting it lightly, but you have to give the PRC credit, they are really putting their hearts into this, whatever their motives.

[mr friendly guy]

On the other hand, we private citizens, instead of just talking about this, should be donating money to various relief organizations right now if we hadn't done so already.

My family is donating a couple of hundred via World vision. For those Australians wanting to donate SBS has links to several charities.

[Mayabird]

China quake toll 'to top 50,000'

The government has asked people to donate equipment to help rescuers

Enlarge Image

More than 50,000 people may have died in the earthquake that devastated parts of China on Monday, state media say.

The warning came after the government confirmed the death toll had risen to 19,500, as rescue efforts continue to search for thousands still trapped.

About 10 million people across Sichuan province have been directly affected by the 7.9 quake, Chinese media said.

Chinese authorities said 60,000 quake victims had been rescued and that all affected areas had now been reached.

The country is sending 30,000 extra troops to Sichuan to help the 50,000 already involved in rescue efforts.

Some soldiers parachuted into the remotest areas, and essential supplies have been dropped from aircraft.

Desperate search

Beijing says it will accept foreign aid and has agreed to help from rescue teams from Japan and its rival Taiwan.

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Rescue teams pull woman from rubble of collapsed building

Correspondents say the death toll, which rose from 14,866 on Wednesday, is expected to rise further as rescue workers dig more victims out of collapsed buildings.

People are still being found alive - an 11-year-old girl was pulled from the rubble of a school in Yingxiu 68 hours after it was destroyed.

The BBC's Michael Bristow in Hanwang says rescuers and relatives continue the desperate search for survivors as hope fades.

Amid the remains of Dongqi Middle School are strewn poignant reminders - textbooks, satchels, a blackboard - of the pupils entombed beneath the rubble, he says.

He saw the agonising wait end for one of many distraught mothers waiting outside the school - she collapsed in tears after identifying the body of her son.

Basic equipment needed

At Juyuan Middle School, near Dujiangyan about 50km (32 miles) from the epicentre, other parents were trying to reach 900 children still trapped in the rubble.

"It's not that we don't trust the rescuers," local resident Deng Yuehong told Associated Press Television on Thursday.


map

See a detailed map of quake zone
In pictures: Quake recovery
Dams pose flooding risk

"They have done a lot of work to search for survivors but they couldn't search all the places in such a large area here and there may be some places that they ignored."

The Chinese government has appealed for basic equipment to help in the rescue operation.

It said hammers, cranes, shovels and rubber boats were urgently needed.

The health ministry says there will also be an increasing demand for medicines and sophisticated medical equipment as survivors are treated for bone fractures, crushed internal organs and kidney failure.

More than 10,000 medical workers, police and volunteers have been sent to Beichuan County, one of the hardest-hit areas in Sichuan province, where up to 5,000 are thought to have died.

Destroyed

But there were suggestions that some of those trying to help bring relief were actually hindering the rescue effort, blocking roads to the worst-hit areas.

"Passionate but inexperienced volunteers have brought little food and their vehicles are blocking roads," the Chengdu chapter of the Young Communist League said in a statement read out on local TV.


RECENT CHINA QUAKES
March, 2008: 7.2 quake in Xinjiang - damage limited
February 2003: 6.8 quake in Xinjiang - at least 94 dead, 200 hurt
January 1998: 6.2 quake in rural Hebei - at least 47 dead, 2,000 hurt
April 1997: 6.6 quake hits Xinjiang - 9 dead, 60 hurt
January 1997: 6.4 quake in Xinjiang - 50 dead, 40 hurt

Send us your comments
Life in tent city
How earthquakes happen

Meanwhile 17 people were disciplined for allegedly spreading "malicious rumours" about the earthquake, two of whom were put in custody, AFP news agency quoted state media as saying.

Deputy Health Minister Gao Qiang says more than 64,040 people have been treated since Monday's earthquake - 12,587 of them are seriously injured, Xinhua reports.

Officials say about 10 million people have been affected by the quake. Many are in refugee camps, without proper shelter, food or clean water.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has issued an emergency appeal for medical help, food, water and tents.

Gu Qinghui, a member of the Red Cross assessment team told AP television: "I just came back from Beichuan County this morning, basically the whole county has been destroyed, there is no Beichuan County anymore.

"No-one knows what has happened in particular areas, in the villages. I am sure that the numbers [death toll] will just go up continuing day by day."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7402460.stm

[ray245]

Hmm, guess that the first international relief team will be coming from Japan, Taiwan, singapore and South korea...


And this is the first time since 1949...has china allowed aid from the ROC and Japan.

[Mlenk]

Well, you know what they say... there's nothing like a "good" disaster to bring everyone together.

[ray245]

Well, you know what they say... there's nothing like a "good" disaster to bring everyone together.

I just hope it is a long lasting one.