I’m a Chinese student. When I walked out of a supermarket in Beijing this afternoon I saw hundreds of workers ran out of high buildings, which shock me to go back to my campus to search for the news on TV and Internet about this earthquake. I mean seriously, your tone made me a little uncomfortable:( The media of China are focusing on this disaster and the premier has flew to Wenchuan, where 900 students were buried in ruins. We are praying for their safety. A lot of my classmates’ parents are in Sichuan, they felt worried because mobile phone communication is unavailable.
My hometown is Yichang, in which stands the Three Gorges Dam project, I called my father just now, he told me local schools won’t be open until being safe.And he said the dam is alright.( my house is 500 meters away from the dam)
P.S. thanks to all of you Americans for caring about this disaster:)
Prayers for your countrymen and your family, CassieChan.
Stay safe~
I was also one who believed the government in Beijing would under-report the magnitude of this story. Apparently I was wrong and for that I am sorry.
I am glad your father is OK but prayers for your classmates’ families in the affected area.
Welcome to FreeRepublic, CassieChan, and thanks for providing information you received firsthand. I hope everyone you know in the affected area is all right.
You are a Chinese agent, sent to try to influence America's premier conservative website.
We've been expecting you.
The 7.3 earthquake in Alaska a couple years ago did little damage aside from moving the Alyeska Pipeline a few feet on its piers. It was felt in New Orleans, which is a couple thousand miles away.
No doubt the injuries in this earthquake are from heavy objects falling on people, which would include buildings that collapse. Anybody out in the open would get a ride for a few seconds and no damage.
Thoughts and prayers for all hurt by this eartquake, CassieChan. :)
At least today it’s easier to get news out of China than back in 1976 after the Tangshan earthquake, it was probably months before anyone outside of the region had any idea of the severity of that quake.
My deepest sympathies for the people suffering from this disaster. For several years I have been studying a specific technology for low cost, energy efficient housing which can provide unusually good protection from hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as being less heavy than concrete and stone in case of disaster.
The technology in question is call Straw Bale Home Construction. There is a lot of material on the internet about this. Just Google, straw bale construction, straw bale homes, international straw bale homes registry, and similar. In June of 2006 I visited a one bedroom strawbale home near Pensacola Florida which had survived Hurricane Ivan without any damage while one foot plus trees had blown down within 100 years. I hear there is good earthquake news from California regarding strawbale homes there. One can use wheat straw, barley straw, rye straw, and of special interest in China, rice straw.
I would love to be able to set up a meeting with appropriate officials in the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, to show them the exhibits and photos I have developed, for possible introduction on a large scale in China. There is the potential to provide low cost housing, earthquake resistant housing, and also save on the polution resulting from burning large quantities of waste straw.
In fact were my expression not clear enough it was directed at the reporting from the 'official' news organ of China
there is a long body of work which supports my "tone"
the China government has never been one to honestly express their inabilities truthfully
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. you should be proud of your role in life
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May God bless you and your family, as well as your countrymen. At times like this, political differences between governments mean nothing. We are all God’s children, and know that MANY prayers from the US and the rest of the Christian world are sent to God’s ear on your behalf during this trying time.
Stay safe........
Dear CassieChan,
I am glad you are here on FR. Thanks for letting us know what you saw and what your father told you. I hope his home continues to be safe. I hope to see you here again sometime.
Joya
Cassie, am glad to hear things are okay for your family. When I was in Beijing, one of my translators was from Chengdu; I hope her family are fine. I don't know if other nationalities are different but I have seen it here time after time: when disaster strikes people rush to help.