四川大地震- Sichuan Quake...

Color China Photo, via Associated Press

As most of you now know, Sichuan experienced a magnitude 7.9 earthquake today. It reportedly killed more than 8,500 people, including as many as 5,000 people in a single county. The tremors were felt as far away as Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam.

However, contrary to what you might expect, Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, seems to be relatively intact and all of the current UW students studying there are reported to be fine. Instead, it appears that the peripheral cities and townships were hit the hardest. Sichuan is a growing industrial and economic power in China but it is also home to some of the more impoverished villages in China and is teaming with ethnic minorities. (China is home to 55 minority groups, non Han, who make up about 10% of the total population.) These areas have poor infrastructure, old buildings, and many homes are made of mud or clay. It is not a surprise they managed poorly.

Prime Minister Wen Jiabao(温家宝) described the situation as a “severe disaster” and called for “calm, confidence, courage and efficient organization.” President Hu Jintao(胡锦涛)ordered an “all out” effort to aid people in the region and soldiers were dispatched for disaster relief efforts. China has not asked for international relief aid but unlike Burma, who was ripped apart by Cyclone Nargis 10 days ago, China has a chance of success.