SCMP Issues & Implications: May 14, 2008

SCOPE OF SICHUAN EARTHQUAKE

The scope of the Sichuan earthquake is staggering. By 1900 (i.e. 7:00 PM) last night, there were at least 12000 dead, 26000 wounded, 10000 buried beneath rubble and 3.46 million homes damaged. The relief effort is also unprecedented with 20000 armed police & soldiers on the ground, 30000 soldiers are on their way using all forms of transportation, (road, rail, sea, to the disaster area. The financial package set aside for recovery & relief in this disaster is 860 million yuan. air & on foot)

TIBET CONTROVERSY

The Dalai Lama will visit the US, Australia, Britain & France, keeping Tibet in the spotlight.

Implications/Key Question: Will the Dalai Lama and his entourage call for a boycott of the upcoming Olympics?

RELIGION/CATHOLICISM

According to Cardinal Joseph Zen, Hong Kong isn’t ready for a papal visit yet: “The time has not yet come for an official visit for the Pope in China. His trip would be used, misunderstood and it would do nothing to serve the faithful of the Church of Rome. The Chinese government, even in these pre-Olympic times, wants to control everything”.

Implications: Although the Chinese government is oppressive/repressive, it is a distant second to the government in Myanmar who don’t allow any media access to their cyclone-stricken citizens even as they are dying from lack of food and basic medical care