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China Earthquake: A Year Of Recovery A year after a massive earthquake devastated southwestern China, the struggle to recover goes on for the millions who lost loved ones and were left homeless. NPR continues to report on the recovery, rebuilding and rebirth of this ruined land.
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China Earthquake: A Year Of Recovery

A year after a massive earthquake devastated southwestern China, the struggle to recover goes on.

Poem Inspires U.S. Sculptor To Honor Quake Victims

A week after a massive earthquake rocked southwest China last year, NPR aired a poem called "Elegy," by Chengdu poet He Xiaozhu. One NPR listener was so inspired by the poem that he decided to make a sculpture based on it.

Poem Inspires U.S. Sculptor To Honor Quake Victims

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'Afterquake': Rebuilding Sichuan With Song

A year after a devastating earthquake, Sichuan province in China is still rebuilding. Many children remain separated from their parents. To raise awareness of victims still in need, Abigail Washburn and Dave Liang spent two weeks in Sichuan to create Afterquake, an album that mixes actual sounds of the rebuilding with the voices of relocated school children.

'Afterquake': Rebuilding Sichuan With Song

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China Releases Toll Of Children Killed In Quake

In its first official tally of children killed in last year's earthquake, the Chinese government said Thursday that more than 5,300 died. NPR's Melissa Block and Anthony Kuhn talk about the government's response to angry parents, activists and the media over the past year.

China Releases Toll Of Children Killed In Quake

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For Parents, Justice Elusive In China School Collapse

The most politically sensitive story to come out of the earthquake that hit southwest China last May is the question of why so many schools collapsed. Since the earthquake, parents who have demanded accountability for the deaths of their children have been punished. One couple shares their frustration.

For Parents, Justice Elusive In China School Collapse

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Essay

In China, Quake Tourism Becoming Big Business

China's government and developers are sinking money into tourism projects around the zone where tens of thousands of people died in last May's earthquake. From laser tag in Baoshan to a museum in Dayi that will feature quake simulators, they're aiming to boost the local economy — and memorialize the dead.

In China, Quake Tourism Becoming Big Business

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Opinion

Essay

Grieving Chinese Family Quells Memories To Heal

Two days after the earthquake struck southwestern China last May, Melissa Block interviewed a couple as rescue workers searched for their toddler son and his grandparents who were buried under a collapsed apartment building. Block checks in with the boy's aunt to see how the family is coping with the loss of its loved ones.

Grieving Chinese Family Quells Memories To Heal

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Building Safer Homes Before The Next China Quake

Last May, an earthquake devastated southwest China, toppling buildings. The culprit, says earthquake engineer Elizabeth Hausler, was precast concrete slabs. Hausler is now on a mission in Sichuan to help people build homes that can withstand future earthquakes.

Building Safer Homes Before The Next China Quake

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For Disabled Chinese Girl, An Uncertain Future

Huang Meihua lost her legs when her school collapsed on her last May in the China earthquake. Now, she struggles with classmates gawking at her prosthetic legs. And she and her parents worry about where she'll attend classes when her temporary school closes.

For Disabled Chinese Girl, An Uncertain Future

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Opinion

Essay

Ruined Beichuan Starts Anew

When the 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit southwest China in May 2008, Beichuan county was among the hardest hit. Now, Beichuan is abandoned, but it's becoming a tourist attraction. Vendors like Mu Zhenxian, who lost 16 family members, sell photos of the burial ground.

Ruined Beichuan Starts Anew

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Chinese Seek Answers In Student Quake Deaths

Nearly a year after the deadly May 12 earthquake in southwestern China, the government has not released figures of the number of children killed in collapsed schools. Some parents allege shoddy construction. Activists continue to investigate the deaths, despite the efforts of authorities to block them.

Chinese Seek Answers In Student Quake Deaths

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Chinese Earthquake Victims Still Anxious For Relief

Six months after the devastating Chinese earthquake, disaster victims are struggling with unemployment and worries about the future. Members of one family are losing their optimistic outlook about help from the government, and their future seems to be on hold.

Chinese Earthquake Victims Still Anxious For Relief

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After Quake, Entrepreneurs Do Business In Tents

Despite government claims that it will restore the living standards of quake survivors in just three years, many Chinese aren't waiting for a permanent structure to open shop. They're using tents for barber shops, restaurants and stores.

After Quake, Entrepreneurs Do Business In Tents

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In China, Anger Still Simmers Over School Collapses

As the physical reminders of the massive earthquake that killed thousands of school children are swept away, Chinese officials are waging a campaign to tamp down on potential unrest among survivors and bereaved parents.

In China, Anger Still Simmers Over School Collapses

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China Approaching Quake Housing Deadline

The Chinese government set an ambitious Aug. 1 deadline for providing temporary housing to survivors of the May 12 earthquake. Prefabricated shelters have been constructed in many areas, but many residents remain without accommodations.

China Approaching Quake Housing Deadline

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China Panda Center Copes With Sagging Tourism

Two months after a massive earthquake struck China, a panda research base is struggling with major losses in revenues caused by a slowdown in tourism following the disaster. A new book about a panda named Jingjing is being launched to help raise money for the center.

China Panda Center Copes With Sagging Tourism

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China's 'Biggest Coward' Finds Sympathy

A teacher in China is chastised for writing a blog post about fleeing his classroom during the massive May earthquake. Fan Meizhong says he was later fired for "speaking improperly" about the event.

China's 'Biggest Coward' Finds Sympathy

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China Tightens Control on Corruption, Quake Stories

After allowing an initial openness when a deadly and powerful quake struck China's Sichuan Province, government officials tightened access for news media publishing stories about the corruption that led to the collapse of so many schools.

China Tightens Control on Corruption, Quake Stories

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China Continues Recovery, Rebuilding Effort

One month ago, a 7.9 magnitude quake struck China's Sichuan Province, killing at least 69,000 people. Some 18,000 are still missing. While there was praise for China's initial response, now the longer, harder part of rebuilding is slowing: Long-term housing is needed, with 5 million people homeless.

China Continues Recovery, Rebuilding Effort

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China Quake: Shifting Gears When Disaster Strikes

All Things Considered went to China in May to prepare a series of specials from the Sichuan province in China. They soon found themselves covering a very different story — a massive earthquake. Hosts Melissa Block and Robert Siegel, and producer Andrea Hsu talk about their experiences.

Listen to this 'Talk of the Nation' topic

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Tourism Suffers as Rebuilding Continues in Sichuan

It's been nearly one month since China's devastating earthquake. The government is focusing on rebuilding. In Chengdu, the local economy had been supported by tourism, but the quake changed that.

Tourism Suffers as Rebuilding Continues in Sichuan

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Police Stop Grieving Parents' Protest in China

On Friday, parents of children killed after schools collapsed in China were angrily planning lawsuits against the government for shoddy construction. On Tuesday, the parents were dragged from the courthouse by police, and reporters were detained inside.

Police Stop Grieving Parents' Protest in China

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