News 3

It now appears that the death toll in the Sichuan earthquake will be over 70,000. Many the dead are children who might have survived had their school buildings not crumbled so easily. The accusation being voiced is that corruption is to blame for sub-standard buildings. The central government has promised a full inquiry and we can only wait and see. However, the tragedy is very real for many poor people who have lost their only child.
Watching Premier Wen Jiabao at the scene of the disaster, the man's humanity is obvious. It is real and doesn't have to be encouraged by the party. Nevertheless, as China changes the gap between rich and poor increases, a new nationalism is on the horizon, corruption is rife, environmental pollution is widespread and, while the party remains broadly popular (partly because of the Wen Jiaboas), there are complaints about a number of issues. How these complaints are dealt with and how the issues are resolved will determine the "quo vadis" of this country and, to no little degree, of the planet.
The picture above shows Wen Jiaboa at the earthquake's epicentre.