China Earthquake: Update

Here are media updates (May 13, 2008) on the earthquake in Sichuan Provice, China from PRI / BBC's "The World":

• Article, Photos, Videos & Audio
  including audio interview with Anne Zuckerman, (a teacher at Sichuan University in Chengdu, China).
  
• Photo gallery (BBC)
  
• Updated Audio
• Full audio program for May 13, 2008 (1 hour)

This program includes an interview with Author John Pomfret [Chinese Lessons: Five Classmates and the Story of the New China]. Pomfret explains how deep Chinese religious beliefs may explain the all-out government response to the disaster. There were 50,000 soldiers dispatched to the Sichuan Province. The belief is that any government rules only as long as it has the mandate of Heaven. When natural disaster hits, it is a sign that the government may be losing this mandate. The government is responsible for maintaining the harmony of Heaven and Earth, and must prove its legitimacy by responding quickly and effectively to natural disasters like this earthquake.

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