China's Quake Relief Efforts Serve PR Purpose, Too

Forceful, and open, response shows government knows it's under microscope

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted May 14, 2008 9:57 AM CDT

(Newser) – China's devastating earthquake has kept the country in an international spotlight that's been too warm for comfort following recent Tibet and Olympic-torch troubles, the New York Times reports—and the country might be having a defining moment as it deals with the catastrophe. The country's swift, aggressive rescue effort contrasts sharply with neighboring Myanmar's, and with China's own approach to earlier calamities.

China's government seems aware the West is watching, and state media have been unusually open. A decision to scale back the Olympic torch relay after a public outcry is seen as a sign of a new responsiveness. "The government has drawn some lessons from negative feedback,” said a Beijing professor. “I think it reflects a trend of Chinese openness and reform.”

A woman cries as she walks by a line rescuers just before they are going to search for victims after the earthquake at Beichuan County in Mianyang in Sichuan province, Tuesday, May 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Color China Photo)

Rescue workers search for earthquake survivors buried in rubbles of a destroyed hospital building in Dujiangyan, southwest China's Sichuan Province Wednesday, May 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao speaks to people buried at a ruined hospital in Dujiangyan, a city in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Monday May 12, 2008. (AP Photo)

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China's Quake Relief Efforts Serve PR Purpose, Too

Forceful, and open, response shows government knows it's under microscope

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Monk's Body Paraded After Self-Immolation

Protesters seized body from police station, then carried through streets

Himalayan Quake's Toll Rises to 55

Rain, landslides hamper rescue efforts

Soros: Euro on Verge of Major Collapse

'Inevitable' a country will leave euro, he warns

Big Quakes Trigger Small Ones—Not Other Big Ones

So rest easy, California, your risk is no higher than normal

Obama Pressures China on Currency

Prez says he'll take action to protect US interests if yuan isn't revalued

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China's Quake Relief Efforts Serve PR Purpose, Too

Forceful, and open, response shows government knows it's under microscope

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

China • Wen Jiabao • earthquake • Chinese officials • Sichuan province • torch relay • China earthquake

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Monk's Body Paraded After Self-Immolation

Protesters seized body from police station, then carried through streets

Himalayan Quake's Toll Rises to 55

Rain, landslides hamper rescue efforts

Soros: Euro on Verge of Major Collapse

'Inevitable' a country will leave euro, he warns

Big Quakes Trigger Small Ones—Not Other Big Ones

So rest easy, California, your risk is no higher than normal

Obama Pressures China on Currency

Prez says he'll take action to protect US interests if yuan isn't revalued

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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What is Newser?