Myanmar and China-Handling the two crises

Asia is having to deal with two massive natural disasters. First a devastating cyclone in Myanmar, then a powerful earthquake in China. Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith looks at how the two countries have dealt with their respective disasters, and William Hess from Global Insight talks to us about why both relief efforts have been so different.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• china
• myanmmar
• disaster
• earthquake
• cyclone
• nargis
• al
• jazeera
• aljazeera
• bernard
• smith

[tofunotes]

The clip is here now (Wed morning, Aussie time).

I think the Chinese government deserves credit, too. The tone of this report suggests that the Chinese government has only acted in order to protect its image, at home and abroad. I think that's a little unfair. Things are not always black and white, good and bad. It is possible to criticise the Chinese government for, say, locking up dissidents and at the same time acknowledge that it is doing a bloody good job in other areas.

[FreeTheTruth1]

I think China's response was a lot faster then the US Katrina situation. Within hours, they have mobilized massive rescue efforts.

[ulleule]

CHINA HAS NEVER BEEN MORE UNITED TOGETHER WE WILL WORK FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL CHINESE!!!.... CAUSE WE DESERVE IT HARDWORKING PEOPLE

[ulleule]

Im so proud of the chinese goverment. they really showed that they care.. WEN Jiabao KEEp going !!! big support <3 china !

[aikyu999]

Why did Myanmar Gov't refuse international aid? Like any normal person, I thought they were heartless...until I found a YouTube video about HAARP (High Frequency Active Auroral Ressearch Program) by the USA Gov't. Was the flood in Myanmar and earthquake in China both caused by HAARP?

[doooooohh]

usa just admit it you are shocked how well chinas responds... chinese responds even much better than kratina in usa.....

[lastnymleft]

I guess my original point was valid:

watch?v=joxSnikAzHA

[edvan88]

4/ It is quite normal for their energy security both China and India reduce their dependency from the middle east and seek souces like Myanmar and Sudan.

[edvan88]

3/ When China and India buy Myanmar natural gas, America is angry. Same thing when China buy oil from Sudan. It is easy to understand China and India. America though they have large reserve of oil in oil fields of Texas and Alaska which they have stolen from the native indians - still feel the need to control with their military force the huge oil fields of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and may be soon Iran.

[edvan88]

2/ that is western hypocrisy. They pretend to care for people of Myanmar or Soudan . America use food as a weapon. Remember after the 1st guld war, America and its allies impose a food and medecine embargo agaisnt Iraq. How many thousands innocent women and children died of malnutrition.

[edvan88]

1/ Internatinal aid after natural disasters are good. But the west like to use it for propaganda purpose. Western rescue teams will bring their CNN and BBC propaganda tools. Trade is better than aid. Trade bring prosperity. Prosperity will enable population to have better shelter and equip them better against calamities. When China and India trade with Myanmar, the western countries are angry.

[NixKah]

International help-teams have arrived and r helping now and some r on their way to the worst areas.

All hit areas including the worst ones have been sent help and the China gov is still rapidly increasing the no. of all kinds of help especially helicopters.