A Seismic Shift in China’s Relations with West?
“…Within minutes of touching down in this narrow valley, the Prime Minister wanted to hold an impromptu press conference…Since China’s most destructive earthquake of modern times struck this mountainous region on May 12, Mr Wen has been full of surprises…”
By Jane Macartney
Source: Times
The public face of the world’s emerging superpower gazed at the hill above him, its forests reduced to gashes of earth and rock by landslides dislodged in the massive earthquake.
Ashen-faced, he appeared genuinely awestruck by the power of nature and the extent of the tragedy surrounding him as he stood in the town nearest to the epicentre.
“Once, this was a very beautiful valley. This is a place where pandas live,” said Wen Jiabao, China’s Prime Minister. The Yingxiu Middle School was a tumbled heap in the background, its classrooms tilted at crazy angles, crumpled one on top of the other. Hidden from sight on the hill to which Mr Wen pointed are the common graves where some of the 8,600 who died in this county of 13,000 have been buried.
It was his second visit to this scene of devastation, but the first for his guest, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon. Mr Wen had clearly decided to dispense with the stilted protocol under which China’s Communist rulers have long suffocated the visits of foreign dignitaries.
In an unprecedented departure for this tightly screened leadership, he invited a small group of foreign journalists - including just a single newspaper correspondent, from The Times - to join him. The group was flown in by military helicopter, an openness unheard of in China. The air force navigator on the flight was so surprised that he asked all 13 foreigners on board for their autographs.
Within minutes of touching down in this narrow valley, the Prime Minister wanted to hold an impromptu press conference. He usually meets the foreign media only once a year, after the annual session of the rubber-stamp parliament, a stage-managed event with no surprises in the script. Since China’s most destructive earthquake of modern times struck this mountainous region on May 12, Mr Wen has been full of surprises.
He was eager to speak to overseas reporters, whom the party usually treats with deep suspicion. “Let a foreign journalist ask the question,” he said to the Chinese who have daily access. He even kept Mr Ban waiting for several minutes so that he could finish his answers.
Those answers, too, were unusually candid in a country that has a long tradition of diluting bad news lest it reflect ill on the party. Instead, he revealed that the death toll, now 62,000, was likely to go as high as 80,000 or more. China, he said, now faced three main challenges - to prevent epidemics, to provide shelter for five million homeless and to tackle 35 “quake lakes” formed by landslides blocking rivers. “We must not allow this major tragedy to be followed by another major disaster,” he said.
Mr Wen’s embrace of a style of leadership more commonly associated with politicians in democratic countries, worried about their election prospects, is unlikely to be the action of an individual. Chinese leaders do not make such radical shifts from usual practice without a great deal of thought and a meeting of at least some members of the nine-man Politburo Standing Committee that rules China.
The question now will be whether the Prime Minister’s man-of-the-people image will translate into real policies for change. The leader insisted that this was no fleeting policy.
He took the opportunity of Mr Ban’s visit to voice China’s gratitude to the international community for its sympathy and help. “This is not only a tragedy for China but for all mankind.” And he said China would not waver from its policy of transparency. “We will hold permanently to our policy of opening up.” This may be a sign that, with the Beijing Olympics only 73 days away, China wants to cool the nationalist, antiWestern sentiment that has erupted since international criticism of Beijing’s handling of the riots in Tibet in March.
His words may appear to be calculated - in the manner of any politician; already, within the last week, the propaganda department has issued edicts to rein in unregulated reporting in the national media.
But Mr Wen certainly looks as if he is speaking from the heart. He wore the crumpled navy blue zip-up jacket that he donned when he first flew down to the earthquake-devastated area just two hours after the tremor. His expression was solemn, his lips pursed and a frown creased his face. It is a display of concern that has won him nationwide support and inspired and comforted survivors.
Anyone in this area, even those who have lost children or still search for the rotting bodies of loved ones, has a variation on the words: “Uncle Wen has given us such hope.”
As his meeting with Mr Ban drew to a close, Mr Wen paused and gestured to his entourage. He had something more to say and his voice trembled with emotion. “Where we stand now is the epicentre of the great Wenchuan earthquake and in this county 13,000 have lost their lives. But you can see our fellow countrymen are already getting back on their feet. Let the world’s people remember the devastating earthquake, remember the lost lives and remember the brave fight of the people in the quake-hit regions and nationwide against the disaster.”
(5 votes, average: 5 out of 5)You need to be a registered member to rate this post.
Loading ...Posted in Politics
As the writer noted, the prime minister has been full of surprises. Hopefully, his personal charisma could be followed suit by other Chinese mid-level officials in dealing with the western media.
Prime Minister WEN is a great leader, he is doing his best at this moment. So is president HU. Both of them are pushing their 70. It is a tough job for a strong young man. We Sichuan people are very grateful.
Dylan reply on May 27, 2008 5:06 pm :
Which city of Sichuan are you coming from? My mother was born in Luzhou, a city famous for excellent white wine
toni reply on May 27, 2008 7:45 pm :
I’m from Chengdu. People are very nervous after 5.12, some of them still camp out.There are too many after shocks, we don’t know when it is going to stop. But I do know we love our country and its people more than anytime in our history.
LuZhou lao jiao is famous, very strong.
Dylan reply on May 28, 2008 6:30 pm :
I can well imagine the panic in Chengdu. Just keep fingers crossed that there will no more disasters for the region.
Xiongqi
Digg…
While checking out DIGG yesterday I noticed this…
my offers…
I like to surf in various places on the internet, regularly I will just go to Stumble Upon and follow thru…
Natural Swimming Ponds…
[…]followed below you’ll notice the hyperlinks to a few sites that we are convinced you should visit[…]…
Looking around…
I like to browse around the web, regularly I will go to Digg and read and check stuff out…
Tumblr article…
I saw a writer talking about this on Tumblr and it linked to…
While I was {browsing|surfing} {today|yesterday} I {saw|noticed} a {great|excellent} {post|article} {about|concerning}…
I like to browse in various places on the online world, often I will just go to Stumble Upon and follow thru…
News info…
I was reading the news and I saw this really interesting information…
Yahoo results…
While searching Yahoo I discovered this page in the results and I didn’t think it fit…
Digg…
While checking out DIGG yesterday I noticed this…
Just Browsing…
While I was surfing today I saw a excellent post about…
Tumblr…
Tumblr linked to this website…
Yahoo results…
While searching Yahoo I discovered this page in the results and I didn’t think it fit…
It is quite hard to find good help…
I am really forever saying that its hard to find quality honest help, but here is …
Its hard to find good help…
I am forever saying that its hard to procure good help, but here is …
Yahoo results…
While searching Yahoo I discovered this page in the results and I didn’t think it fit…
Its hard to find good help…
I am constantnly saying that its hard to get quality help, but here is …
Looking around…
I like to surf around the online world, often I will go to Stumble Upon and follow thru…
Yahoo News…
When checking out Yahoo News today I noticed this…
Useful and precise…
Its difficult to find really informative and accurate info but here I found…
Informative and precise…
Its hard to find informative and accurate info but here I found…
Hard Day…
It was a hard day here today, so I just took to piddeling around on the internet and found…
Looking around…
I love to look in various places on the internet, often I will just go to Digg and read and check stuff out…
Weebly article…
I saw someone writing about this on Weebly and it linked to…
Informative and precise…
Its hard to find informative and precise info but here I found…
Just Looking…
When I was browsing yesterday I noticed a great article concerning…
Just Browsing…
While I was browsing today I saw a excellent post about…
kaltschaummatratze…
Good day! This is my first remark here so I just wanted to give a swift shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs that cover the same subjects? Thanks!…
Wikia…
Wika linked to this site…
Gems form the internet…
[…]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[…]……
Awesome website…
[…]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[…]……
Recommeneded websites…
[…]Here are some of the sites we recommend for our visitors[…]……
Dreary Day…
It was a dreary day here today, so I just took to messing around on the internet and found…
Check this out…
[…] that is the end of this article. Here you’ll find some sites that we think you’ll appreciate, just click the links over[…]……
Yahoo results…
While searching Yahoo I found this page in the results and I didn’t think it fit…
Sources…
[…]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]……
Related……
[…]just beneath, are numerous totally not related sites to ours, however, they are surely worth going over[…]……
Links…
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]……
Sources…
[…]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]……
Just Looking…
When I was browsing yesterday I saw a great post concerning…
News…
I was reading the Yahoo news and I saw this really interesting info…
Tumblr…
Tumblr linked to this place…
News…
I was reading the Yahoo news and I saw this really interesting information…
Earl Nightingale …
We can let circumstances rule us, or we can take charge and rule our lives from within. …
Informative and precise…
Its difficult to find informative and precise discussion but here I noted…
Looking around…
I love to browse around the online world, regularly I will go to Stumble Upon and read and check stuff out…
Bing results…
While searching Bing I discovered this page in the search results and I didn’t think it match…
Useful and precise…
Its hard to find really informative and precise info but here I noted…
Informative and precise…
Its difficult to find informative and precise information but here I found…
Looking around…
I like to look around the online world, regularly I will just go to Stumble Upon and follow thru…
Useful and precise…
Its difficult to find really informative and accurate info but here I found…
Wikia…
Wika linked to this place…
Yahoo results…
While browsing Yahoo I found this page in the results and I didn’t think it fit…
Looking around…
I love to surf in various places on the online world, often I will go to Stumble Upon and read and check stuff out…
News…
I was reading the Yahoo news and I saw this really cool info…
Weebly article…
I saw someone writing about this on Weebly and it linked to…
Looking around…
I love to look around the web, often I will go to Digg and read and check stuff out…
News…
I was reading the Yahoo news and I saw this really interesting information…
News…
I was reading the Yahoo news and I saw this really cool info…
Just Looking…
When I was surfing today I noticed a excellent post about…
Iron Man 3…
If you want to check out the latest trailer or info about the iron man 3 go to at our site….
It is quite hard to find good help…
I am really constantnly proclaiming that its hard to procure good honest help, but here is …
Hard Day…
It was a hard day here today, so I just took to messing around on the internet and realized…
Just Reading…
The other afternoon, I was surfing on the internet I saw a excellent post about…
Hard Day…
It was a hard day here today, so I just took to piddeling around online and realized…
It is quite hard to find good help…
I am really constantnly saying that its difficult to procure quality honest help, but here is …
Just Looking…
When I was surfing yesterday I saw a great article about…
It is quite hard to find good help…
I am really forever proclaiming that its difficult to find quality honest help, but here is …
Looking around…
I like to look in various places on the web, often I will just go to Digg and follow thru…
News…
I was reading the Yahoo news and I saw this really interesting topic…
It is quite hard to find good help…
I am really constantnly saying that its hard to procure good honest help, but here is …
Weebly article…
I saw someone writing about this on Weebly and it linked to…
Just Looking…
When I was surfing today I noticed a excellent post concerning…
News…
I was reading the Yahoo news and I saw this really cool info…
News…
I was reading the Yahoo news and I saw this really cool information…
It is quite hard to find good help…
I am really forever proclaiming that its difficult to get good honest help, but here is …
Yahoo results…
While browsing Yahoo I found this page in the results and I didn’t think it fit…
Useful and precise…
Its difficult to find really informative and precise info but here I found…
Bing results…
While browsing Bing I discovered this page in the search results and I didn’t think it match…
Hard Day…
It was a hard day here yesterday, so I just took to piddeling around online and found…
News…
I was reading the Yahoo news and I saw this really interesting topic…
Useful and precise…
Its difficult to find really informative and precise information but here I found…
Tumblr…
Tumblr linked to this site…
It is quite hard to find good help…
I am really regularly saying that its difficult to procure good honest help, but here is …
Useful and precise…
Its hard to find really informative and accurate info but here I noted…
Hard Day…
It was a hard day here yesterday, so I just took to messing around online and realized…
phentermine results…
If you’re interested in having a guest blog poster please let me know. I will provide you with unique content for your webstie, thanks….
phentermine dangers…
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this post. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to start my own BlogEngine blog now. Really the bloggin…
Bing results…
While browsing Bing I discovered this page in the search results and I didn’t think it match…
Looking around…
I love to look around the web, often I will just go to Digg and follow thru…
Looking around…
I love to browse around the web, regularly I will go to Digg and follow thru…
Looking around…
I love to surf in various places on the online world, regularly I will go to Stumble Upon and read and check stuff out…
Bing results…
While browsing Bing I found this page in the search results and I didn’t think it match…
Looking around…
I love to browse around the internet, regularly I will go to Digg and follow thru…
Looking around…
I love to surf a bit around the vast web, quite regularly I will just go to Stumble Upon and follow thru…
Hard Day…
It was a hard day here yesterday, so I just took to piddeling around on the internet and found…
Yahoo News…
When reading a bit Google and Bing News now I noticed this…
Just Looking…
When I was surfing a bit this week end I noticed a nice article about…
Useful and precise…
Its quite hard to find super informative and precise info but now I noted…
Useful and precise…
Its difficult to find really informative and precise information but here I noted…
That’s Right!…
This is a really good blog. Good work!…
It is quite hard to find good help…
I am really constantnly proclaiming that its hard to procure good honest help, but here is …
Useful and precise…
Its quite hard to find super informative and precise info but now I found…
My opinion is ……
Thanks for this wondrous post, I am glad I noticed this site on yahoo….
Tumblr…
Tumblr just linked to this cool site…
Thanks a lot|Thanks a ton|Warm regards|With thanks}; from {all of us|each one of us|everyone of us}….
Iron Man 3…
Iron Man 3…
I am glad for commenting to let you be aware of what a fabulous discovery my friend’s girl encountered viewing your web site. She even learned many things, including how it is like to have a very effective giving mood to let other folks without proble…
Looking around…
I love to browse a bit in various places on the vast internet, quite often I will just go to Stumble Upon and read and check stuff out…
News…
I was reading quickly the AOL news and I saw this quite interesting and new information…
It is really really hard to find enough help…
My friend is forever but annoyingly proclaiming that truly its difficult to easily find some quality honest help, but here is …
It is quite hard to find good help…
I am really constantnly saying that its hard to find quality honest help, but here is …
Useful and precise…
Its quite hard to find super informative and accurate information but now I found…
It is really really hard to find enough help…
My friend is forever but annoyingly saying that truly its hard to easily procure some quality honest help, but here is …
Yahoo News…
When reading a bit Google and Bing News now I found this…
Iron Man 3 Trailer…
I simply wanted to develop a small message to be able to express gratitude to you for some of the remarkable solutions you are giving out here. My considerable internet research has finally been recognized with reputable details to go over with my clos…
Yahoo results…
While searching Yahoo I found this page in the results and I didn’t think it fit…
Acres of diamonds…
You may very well have the solution already…
Informative and precise…
Its difficult to find informative and precise information but here I noted…
Cool sites…
[…]we came across a cool site that you might enjoy. Take a look if you want[…]……
Looking around…
I love to browse around the online world, often I will go to Stumble Upon and read and check stuff out…
Much Thanks!…
Thanks for taking the time to provide us all with the info!…