Message from the Editor
The earthquake that shook Sichuan and surrounding provinces on May 12 brought tragedy to
millions of Chinese. Close to 70,000 people lost their lives, a quarter of a million were injured, and
about 5 million are now homeless, according to the American Red Cross. The scale of the disaster
provoked an unprecedented response. The PRC government was quick to organize relief and
rescue efforts and did so in an unexpectedly open manner. Many individual Chinese citizens
loaded up their own cars with supplies and drove into affected areas to help. And the international
business community also pitched in, donating millions of dollars in cash and in-kind assistance.
The earthquake has also shifted the Chinese and international communities' attitude toward the
Beijing Olympic Games. Relief efforts have brought people closer together, and the international
outpouring of sympathy, offers of help, and praise for the PRC government's handling of the
disaster have eased earlier tensions. Nevertheless, with the country in a more somber mood, the
Olympics may not be the much-anticipated "coming-out" party China had planned.
At the CBR, our hearts go out to the victims of the earthquake and our thoughts are with them as
they try to rebuild their lives. We also wish Beijing, and all of China, all the best for a successful
Olympics.
—Virginia Hulme
