It's unfortunate, but not surprising, that a few international sources have attempted to find flaws in China's relief efforts of the May 12 earthquake, largely their motivation. To me, that's all nonsense.
However, there has been one story out recently I do feel is noteworthy. I first saw the article in the Washington Post, but I've since seen other similar stories popping up in other major news sources. We've all seen the horrible pictures of entire neighborhoods being leveled. However, a few buildings did last through the 8.0 (lucky 8.0 according to Chinese officials, but 7.8-7.9 for most of the world) earthquake. While schools, homes, and businesses are reduced to piles of wood and metal, government buildings are standing fully functional.
I can understand building sturdy government buildings, and I can understand a country like China, which is still developing in most areas, not having adequate supplies to build structures able to withstand such a powerful force of nature. The combination of these two, however, is another subject.
After a couple of rocky months of poor publicity, China has begun to again prove to the world that they are able to provide basic services for their citizens like the Western superpowers. Does this show where China's true priorities lie or is it simply another case of the Western media digging for dirt on China?
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