Coverage of the earthquake in China remains the top story on most news channels today. Sky’s morning report extended to nearly 10 minutes and the BBC gave nearly 16 minutes to the developing story. Eight provinces have been affected by the 7.8 earthquake and more than 50,000 troops have been deployed to the worst hit areas. But even while China has implemented a massive relief effort authorities have welcomed all offers of foreign help a direct contrast to the Myanmar government which have continued to impede and restrict aid efforts following the devastating cyclone which swept across the country. Yesterday George W Bush said the US would help China in any way possible and offers of help have come from many other countries.
The contrast between government responses in the two countries have been very different. Within hours of the Chinese earthquake Premier Wen Jiabao was on the ground and coordinating a response to the disaster. But it was days after the Cyclone Nargis swept through Myanmar before generals were seen and even ten days after the storm aid is still held up at airports and foreign help is being thwarted by red tape. While information has been forthcoming from Chinese authorities, the ruling junta in Myanmar has stopped journalists reporting from the ground and information from the government has been sketchy and incomplete. Today CCTV-9 broadcast an hour long press conference during which officials answered questions from domestic and foreign journalists. Wang Zhengyao, the director of disaster response, told reporters of what efforts were being made and that the official death toll had now risen to 11,921. Considering the widespread damage, many foreign observers believe the figure will be much higher. But there is little sign that Chinese authorities are attempting to gloss over the true scale of the disaster. They have continued to update the media with details of areas affected and spoken of the widespread destruction affecting chemical plants, power stations, mobile telecommunications, transport links and water infrastructure.
Few Western journalists have yet managed to arrive in the earthquake zone but CNN's John Vause has manage to reach the town of Jiang You a small town some 100 km from the epicentre. He spoke of “block after block” of devastation and said, "These people who live in the city are now hunkering down under tarpaulins and under tents, Many are afraid to go back indoors because their buildings are no longer safe." And with the many aftershocks that have occurred following Monday’s quake many buildings are still being toppled. Meanwhile heavy rain in some areas of Sichuan is hampering rescue efforts and causing mudslides in some areas.
Besides the indigenous population there are many foreign tourists trapped in the area. There are fortunately no reports of death amongst foreign visitors but many are stuck outside roughing it in tents along with the general population.
The contrast between government responses in the two countries have been very different. Within hours of the Chinese earthquake Premier Wen Jiabao was on the ground and coordinating a response to the disaster. But it was days after the Cyclone Nargis swept through Myanmar before generals were seen and even ten days after the storm aid is still held up at airports and foreign help is being thwarted by red tape. While information has been forthcoming from Chinese authorities, the ruling junta in Myanmar has stopped journalists reporting from the ground and information from the government has been sketchy and incomplete. Today CCTV-9 broadcast an hour long press conference during which officials answered questions from domestic and foreign journalists. Wang Zhengyao, the director of disaster response, told reporters of what efforts were being made and that the official death toll had now risen to 11,921. Considering the widespread damage, many foreign observers believe the figure will be much higher. But there is little sign that Chinese authorities are attempting to gloss over the true scale of the disaster. They have continued to update the media with details of areas affected and spoken of the widespread destruction affecting chemical plants, power stations, mobile telecommunications, transport links and water infrastructure.
Few Western journalists have yet managed to arrive in the earthquake zone but CNN's John Vause has manage to reach the town of Jiang You a small town some 100 km from the epicentre. He spoke of “block after block” of devastation and said, "These people who live in the city are now hunkering down under tarpaulins and under tents, Many are afraid to go back indoors because their buildings are no longer safe." And with the many aftershocks that have occurred following Monday’s quake many buildings are still being toppled. Meanwhile heavy rain in some areas of Sichuan is hampering rescue efforts and causing mudslides in some areas.
Besides the indigenous population there are many foreign tourists trapped in the area. There are fortunately no reports of death amongst foreign visitors but many are stuck outside roughing it in tents along with the general population.
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