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Almost five million left homeless, China says

GEOFFREY YORK

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 9:44 PM EDT 16/05/08

Strong aftershocks continue to rattle disaster zone; final death toll expected to climb to 50,000 or more ...Read the full article

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  1. Joe Phreez from Canada writes: My prayers go to Sichuan and its victims. Stay strong the whole world is with you......
  2. SY GIL from TO, Canada writes: Why has the Canadian government not offer any help when countries like Australia stepped right up?
  3. Joe Phreez from Canada writes: Mr York, are you too busy hanging around with charming chinese girls, why is it your stories are always one-sided??? China has made it clear that it wants to leave as much roads and airport traffic to the deployment of relief aid, workers and soldiers. As most of the major roads , bridges and runways are damaged. The Hong Kong rescue team waited until Wednesday before they could board a plane that landed in Chengdu in the middle of the night where the rescue traffic is slightly eased off, so is the Japanese rescue team. Do you know how many jets of loaded food, water, medicine, tents and so forth needed each day to fly to Sichuan from all over China to support the millions of victims there?
  4. Jesse Winger from Calgary, Canada writes: I believe Canada should give all it can in China. Pity their government seems to be blocking our good efforts.

    This applies to our prolonged attempts to help the wretched situation in Burma. But the sick commie Dicatators have blocked us out there too!

    Lesson reaffirmed: as tough and laughable and difficult and imperfect our political system is - we are infinitely ahead of the the soulless, heartless communist dictatorships in China and Burma.

    Nuff said.
  5. V ADS from Canada writes: I truly hope that China will learn from this tragedy and do everything it can to protect its beautiful children by rebuilding all its schools.

    Have our schools been seismically upgraded to protect our kids and grandkids against such tragedies? Some look so old they scare me.
  6. tulip7 R from woodbridge, Canada writes: When this disaster will end?
    Besides donation what else we can do?
  7. P cheng from ottawa, Canada writes: SY GIL from TO, Canada writes: Why has the Canadian government not offer any help when countries like Australia stepped right up?
    =========>
    They did and on the TV tonight. But, I didn't listen.
  8. John Stanton from Canada writes: I thought China's internal affairs are their own business and no one else's.....
  9. Joe Phreez from Canada writes: Jesse Winger, Crocodile's tears are pissed off here.
  10. Kwok Tam from Toronto, Canada writes: Please read the information from Joe Phreez. He provides up-to-date information. Also I have learned that Canada has donated one million US dollars and will match private donations to aid Groups. It seems that the best thing to do is to donate through Canadian Red Cross online. You will receive tax receipts right away. Red Cross is experienced in disaster relief.
  11. Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:

    ' .... Only four countries – Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Russia – were permitted to send their rescue teams to China ....'

    China is very careful in cultivating friends. I guess we do not make the grade. Coming for the future superpower that is worrying.

    Everything is big in China. 5,000,000 homeless. So this must have been a big one. I hope it will make China revise its building code, or perhaps increase its quality controls for construction materials.

    Our prayers and deepest condolences to the victims' families.
  12. Joe Phreez from Canada writes: John Stanton, Did any one approach YOU for help...........if you do not wish to lend a hand to the dying human lifes (or human rights) thats fine for you too, human right fighter!?
  13. John Stanton from Canada writes: Joe Phreez....I was quoting the chinese govt.
  14. hok lam from China writes: DONATION
    SAUDI ARABIA : SIXTY MILLION (60 000 000) U.S. DOLLARS
    UNITED STATES : FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (500 000) U.S. DOLLARS
    CANADA : ZERO (0) U.S. DOLLAR !!!!!!!
  15. P cheng from ottawa, Canada writes: Syed Abbas from Toronto, Canada writes:
    China is very careful in cultivating friends. I guess we do not make the grade. Coming for the future superpower that is worrying.
    ========>
    Syed, how long will NA send the people there. When all the equpinment there, it already too late. Anyway, US also provide the satelite information to China.
    In the long run, these neighbour countries will form more co-operation to work together for these type of disaster. Japan, Korea and Taiwan also in the earthquick zone too. They know that they cannot act alone. Why not cooperate now for the future.
  16. J Albert from Toronto, Canada writes: China needs help but wont take ours. SY GIL needs help reading - but is probably beyond help.
  17. hok lam from China writes: DONATION
    SAUDI ARABIA : SIXTY MILLION (60 000 000) U.S. DOLLARS
    UNITED STATES : FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (500 000) U.S. DOLLARS
    CANADA : ZERO (0) U.S. DOLLAR !!!!!!!
  18. Joe Phreez from Canada writes: John Stanton, That particular quote at this point of the castrophe exactly reflects your intention, it's not a given country's policy that is talking in here but suvivals of millions of human lifes, human right fighter!?
  19. tulip7 R from woodbridge, Canada writes: John Stanton from Canada writes: I thought China's internal affairs are their own business and no one else's..... -----------------------

    They are dealing with the natural disaster that can happen anywhere in the world. This is the time we should offer help.

    For you information: Katrina in USA, Chinese government donated US$5,100,000.
    Now, for the China's earthquake, American government donated US$500,000.
  20. Marcus T from Toronto, Canada writes: On the whole, this report is more balance and much better written for a change. To your credit Mr. York! However, you have forgotten to mention that a Russian rescue team is already participating in the rsecue work in China. Moreover, medical teams from U.S.A. and Hong Kong are already there working in various Sichuan hospitals caring for the injured. Don't forget our own Canadian medical team who has left this morning for Sichuan. With the deployment of some 150,000 troops for the rescue work, they badly need medical equipment and services. This is why the Italian donation of mobile hospitals and medical equipment was loudly appreciated. The troops the Chinese government deployed are not just ordinary troops. They are the troops specializing in constructions, digging ditches, building bridges and tunnels, bulling through any obstacles. With the vast demolition by the quake, they really don't need more specialty team to help their troops. However, all offers of help is deeply appreciated by the Chinese Government and by all Chinese people.
  21. Scott Anderson from London, Canada writes: I think they need to contact Ayess Industries International Corp for houses.
  22. Kwok Tam from Toronto, Canada writes: To hok lam from China:
    Please read my previous comment. Canada has donated one million US dollars and will match private donations to aid groups. I know that there
    will be considerable amounts of donation from private Canadian citizens.
  23. tulip7 R from woodbridge, Canada writes: Marcus T from Toronto, Canada writes: On the whole, this report is more balance and much better written for a change. To your credit Mr. York!------------I agree.
  24. john may from whatadisaster, writes: Quake epicentre at 30.989N 130.33E and the Zizingpu dam is just 23 kms to the east. Googlearth has had satellite coverage up since the quake so how come the media have not given better coverage of the disater with more illustrations of the location of major settlements, dams etc. Getting aid in must be a nightmare to organise and I can understand why China thinks they are capable of handling the situation. Perhaps an scientific explanation of dams and quakes, as well as details of the difficulties of coping with a disaster of this size would be appropriate. Also an update on the survivors of the Pakistan quake of 2006 would be appropriate.
  25. P cheng from ottawa, Canada writes: Marcus T from Toronto, Canada writes:
    ==============>
    Thanks for the update. It is good to hear all the countries that provides the medical support.
  26. Marcus T from Toronto, Canada writes: I keep reading about speculations on the flimsy construction of some of the old schools in the quake zone. Just remember this: the earth quake was caused by a 300 km fracture in the earth plate about 10 km deep. The energy it released was equivalent to that of the explosion of 250 atomic bombs of the Hiroshima type. It would level any city anywhere on earth. So, the old schools might have been poorly constructed (Don't forget, China was much poorer than today), the end result would not have made any difference for any normally constructed structure.
  27. hok lam from China writes: Kwok Tam from Toronto, Canada writes: To hok lam from China:
    Please read my previous comment. Canada has donated one million US dollars and will match private donations to aid groups. I know that there
    will be considerable amounts of donation from private Canadian citizens.
    --------------------------------------->
    YES I GOT IT !THANK YOU !
    Katrina in USA, Chinese government donated US$5,100,000.
    Now, for the China's earthquake, American government donated US$500,000.
  28. Marcus T from Toronto, Canada writes: To Hok Lam from China: It is not fair to say that the Americans only donated $500,000. This $500,000 was donated by the U.S. Government only, but the American people are much more generous. Just Bill Gate alone donated about $1.5 millions. There is a huge donation through the Red Cross from all sorts charitable organizations, big multi-national corporations. You may blame the Americans for all sort of things, one just can not deny the fact that the American people is a VERY GENEROUS people!!! The world appreciates the American generosity!
  29. The Iconoclast from Canada writes: How many buildings turned into piles of rubble ? No point in re-building the same way. The replacement buildings should be engineered so they don't collapse. No matter who much it costs. Or it will happen all over again...
  30. The Iconoclast from Canada writes: China has foreign reserves of $1.2 trillion.

    To the leaders of China: give and give generously to your own citizens. You've got lots of money.

    ===
  31. Joe Phreez from Canada writes: Andrew Toth, If you're not one of the exiled gang, you must be a cold blooded beast. For information many of the lives saved are tibetan chinese.
  32. V ADS from Canada writes: Hok Lam from China: What does it matter who donates what?

    Get off your butt and protect your children. Rebuild your schools.

    China is rich enough to protect its most precious asset -- its children.
  33. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: In keeping with the Olympic Spirit China (like Burma) once again turns away from the international community.
  34. Hank M from Hamilton, Canada writes: Natural disasters are always a heartfelt situation. Our condolences to the people affected.
    On the other hand, what do you say when similar pictures are shown as a result of bombs. Looks dreadfully like Lebanon after the Israeli incursion but of course it is their fault for harboring terrorists.
    Peace!
  35. Coco Motion from Canada writes: All one can do is offer, its up to China to accept that offer.

    Why do so many people hate Canada (the Country they live in) and the United States? Does it feel good to hate that much on a daily basis?
  36. dave houston from toronto, writes: I know it's not nice to say but 5 million chinese is about .0001 percent of China's population
  37. Kwok Tam from Toronto, Canada writes: To Iconoclast from Canada:
    I believe its foreign reserves is US Government TB or bonds. Once they sell considerable amount of US government bonds, the US dollars will go down and it is hard to imagine what will happen to the US markets and US inflation. I think it is a mistake that China keeps all its foreign reserves in US dollars. It is extremely difficult to predict what kind of financial turmoil we shall have in the world.
  38. James C from Shenzhen, China writes: looks as if hok lam will be angry no matter how much money or assistance canada or the US give china. i gave RMB200 to the earthquake relief fund hok lam. my colleague from another country gave RMB400. lay it on me now......
  39. Commander Groovechild from Canada writes: China will emerge from this much stronger. It's like a lightbulb and a leap forward when a country realizes the importance of codes and standards to protect public safety. Because along with people a nation protects its capital, infrastructure and natural resources. Nothing makes me sadder than to hear how so many people are dying in this slow tragedy. I'm especially heartbroken by death of the children. At the same time I try to think who would come to help us if a disaster happened to us. So far I'm thinking the United States. I can't think of anybody else. Maybe Great Britain or France but only in a minor way. I praise the Arabs though if indeed they pledged $60 million in assistance to the Chinese.
  40. Andrew Toth from Oliver, BC, Canada writes: (((((((((Joe Phreez from Canada writes: Andrew Toth, If you're not one of the exiled gang, you must be a cold blooded beast. For information many of the lives saved are tibetan chinese.)))))))))

    Actually Joe, I am a real nice person. I just believe "in what goes around comes around". Some people believe in Karma, others in the Lama, even. So we all interpete events the way we wish too. You, claimly there is no "Higher Power"? Go easy Joe, don't be having a heart attack. Remember, for each action.....there is an equal an opposite reaction. Less then 3 weeks ago Chinese were whacking Monks about the head. No I am no beast. Maybe the one doing the whacking are, do you think? Even a slight chance of that.
  41. Kwok Tam from Toronto, Canada writes: To Coco Motion from Canada:
    From the list of readers who have commented, I do not feel that anyone who hates Canada. I only feel that we should all help the victims of natural disasters no matter where they are.
  42. I R from White Rock, BC, Canada writes: We are all Chinese in this hour of crisis.
  43. Frank Castor from Babylon, Canada writes: Let's find the terrorist responsible for this attrocity and smoke em out.
  44. steve allan from Welland, Ontario, Canada writes: This is very bad and very sad.

    I wonder where all the China bashers are now? Bunch of low-life hypocrites.
  45. P cheng from ottawa, Canada writes: Coco Motion from Canada writes: Why do so many people hate Canada (the Country they live in) and the United States? Does it feel good to hate that much on a daily basis?
    ==============>
    Actually, it is no one hate each other. It is just a group of high school kids late at night and try to get the others attention. Tomorrow. They will act the other way.
  46. Frank Castor from Babylon, Canada writes: That's atrocity.
  47. Kwok Tam from Toronto, Canada writes: I agree with Commander Groovechild. From what I have seen from the commentaries in newspapers from US, Hong Kong, and China, the leaders of China won more respect from all the Chinese people and more support from them. At this time, it is clear that China will emerge from this much better and much more united.
  48. joseph Cheng from Canada writes: Geoffrey York, the columnist specializing in "yellow journalism" was at it again. He reported China disclosed 5 million homeless as the result of this earthquake. He never stated which Chinese governmental department made this disclosure. I phoned long distance to colleagues and friends in Beijing and Shanghai and no one had ever heard of such a figure announced by any Chinese governmental office. The Chinese government is more concerned with saving lives, treating the wounded and providing basic needs to survivors at this point in time. No one is counting heads of those alive and without homes to go back to because simply no one knows at this moment. Why G & M continues to allow Geoffrey York to file unsubstantiated reports based on sensation rather than facts is just mind boggling
  49. Frank Lee from Calgary, Canada writes: With regard to foreign rescue team, I think China’s earthquake rescue teams are more experienced than most countries in the world, and China is not short of manpower and equipment. The biggest problem after the quake is transportation. The only road leading to the epicenter was blocked by mountain slide. Chinese army abandoned vehicle and crossed mountains on foot overnight to reach the epicenter. (because of weather, helicopter and paratroop could not land there in first two days). It was very dangerous to do this because of aftershocks. Can they ask foreigners do the same? Without transportation of equipment, what foreigner can do? China is not short of hands. I think it is reasonable China accepted foreign rescue teams only after the road was cleared. Foreigners offers are appreciated, but they should respect China’s decision of how to accept the foreign aids. Many western medias have comments about Chinese government’s swift response and impressive mobilization and deployment of rescue troops. The prime minister was in Sichuan in 6 hours, and thousands troops reached the epicenter within 24 hours. As a Chinese Canadian, I read a lot from Chinese websites and I called my sister in Sichuan. I think Chinese government did a good job. The following website has a photo showing how the only road to the epicenter was blocked. http://blog.wenxuecity.com/blogview.php?date=200805&postID=19166
  50. Marcus T from Toronto, Canada writes: To Joseph Cheng fro Canada: Joseph, I don't think we should our bar too high for Mr. York. He has done a much better job in this report than most of his normal reports. So, we should give him credit for good efforts. The five million people homeless was a rough guessed figure by people in the rescue command center in Beichuan based on the number of homes destroyed. This number is not completely out of whack. It is not an official figure. Mr. York did indicated in the article.
  51. joseph Cheng from Canada writes: Coco Motion from Canada writes: All one can do is offer, its up to China to accept that offer. Why do so many people hate Canada........................................................ ______________________________________________________ Coco Motion: I don't think anyone posting here hates Canada. The least of all is myself. I'm a 3rd generation Canadian of Chinese heritage: born, raised, educated and still working in this country. In my opinion, Canada is one of the very few greatest countries in the world. There is no other country I would rather live in except my own country Canada. But this does not preclude me to express my opinions based on my recent travels in other countries and my extended stay in China. I am aware that some posters are chronic China haters because of their prejudices or narrow mindedness. I also suggest all doubters take an opportunity to go to China and gain a first hand experience. As I stated in a previous posting, anyone can simply book a plane ticket, obtain a tourist visa in a matter of couple of days, book a hotel and travel freely once in Canada. Quite a number of people in big cities speak English and one can speak freely to any Chinese without anyone looking over one's shoulder. China is very different from the China of thirty years ago. It has changed drastically and thank God, it has changed for the better.
  52. P cheng from ottawa, Canada writes: Marcus T from Toronto, Canada writes: The five million people homeless was a rough guessed figure by people in the rescue command center in Beichuan based on the number of homes destroyed. This number is not completely out of whack. It is not an official figure. Mr. York did indicated in the article.
    ==========>
    In the Hong Kong newspaper, it was 4.8 million and I thnk that he just get the numer round up.
  53. Marc C from Calgary, Canada writes: As far as I know, the PRC dictatorship has not yet blamed the earthquake on the Dalai Lama...I suppose that can be considered an encouraging sign. Also, this tragedy may deflect attention from China's dismal human rights record and create a wave of sympathy from the rest of the world. I'm sure now other countries will be even more reluctant to make any political statement at the Olympics for fear of being accused of insensitivity to the Chinese people as they recover from this ordeal. It's not surprising that China has rejected offers of help from Canada and other countries; I guess national pride is more important than saving lives.

    I will, at least, concede that China does seem to be genuinely trying to help the innocent victms of the quake, unlike the despicable Burmese government who are more concerned about winning some rigged referendum than helping millions of people in dire need of assistance.
  54. joseph Cheng from Canada writes: Has anyone heard how much Walmart has donated or plan to donate? I think Walmart should really loosen its purse because as generally known, Walmart makes most of its money from selling Made in China products.

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