Update on China Earthquake
It’s always tough to write about a tragedy, especially when one has personal ties to the event, but I feel compelled to say something, so…
I’m a strong believer in Chengdu’s role in China’s outsourcing and technology industries. It’s my favorite city in China, and an area where I have a number of colleagues. Due to my ties to the area, I was concerned well beyond general compassion for human suffering when I heard about the earthquake in Sichuan province.
While I was trying to find out how my former coworkers were doing, I came across a first-hand report from Gunar Kasimir. Gunar describes his experience and also gives an account of the days immediately after the event. It’s well worth a read for anyone trying to get beyond the traditional media coverage.
I’m relieved to see that the P.R.C. government, and the world, are responding quickly to help the survivors. I trust that rebuilding will proceed quickly and that the area will continue to play a key role in global technology strategies.
Technorati Tags: China, China Outsourcing
Well said.
Comment by JT — 2008.5.21 @ 15:45
I wanted to add that I was there during the 1989 Loma Prieta quake (the World Series or San Francisco earthquake) and so most of what Gunar Kasimir described was quite familiar. There were huge lines for everything afterwards, and everyone worried about food and power. But that’s where the resemblence stops. The California quake was only 6.9 on the Richter scale, and the China quake was 7.9. That makes the amplitude of the wave 10 times bigger, and therefore impossible for me to imagine. I’m happy that the government’s response has been so strong and efficient.
Comment by JT — 2008.5.21 @ 16:39