May 2008 |History: The Roadmap to the Future--Asia

You have two countries. Both have been ravaged by devastating natural disasters. One is a relatively small 'third world mudhole', with a corrupt an inept military regime. The other an up-and-coming superpower, efficiently run and gifted with a booming economy. Naturally, the latter one garners more attention from the world press.

From the BBC to Voice of America, the plight of the People's Republic of China graces the main articles of each of these government-funded news organizations. The commercial news networks are much the same. Although still prominent, the Burmese calamity has now taken second stage.

China takes center stage.... [Source]

Why is this?

You could--validly--argue that Burma happened first, and is now more old news, no longer fresh and exciting. Alternatively, there is the respect factor. The Chinese are viewed as hard-working and as pushing their nation forward into modernity. Burma is a basket case. When China faces a setback to its rise, people might be more sympathetic. For Burma, going from one disaster--manmade or otherwise--to another is the norm. This seems to be the case for Africa, with the world basically being fed up with Africans' apparent inability so far to get their act together (this does seem to be changing, though). When Africa faces famine and disease, many might ask, 'what's new?'

However, there is another thing which could be drawing all this attention to China, at the expense of Burma. Economics.

Especially in the case of the BBC, where China has lifted its restrictions on the English version of the BBC website, the BBC has been flooded by Chinese viewers recently. In a very similar fashion to how they have many stories about the United States, the BBC now seems to be catering to their large Chinese clientele. The Burmese simply do not have the numbers the Chinese do, and Burma simply does not have the popularity that China does.

.... while Burma is thrust from the spotlight. [Source]

Which is a pity. Burma is the poorer of the two; the more in need of help from the 'international ocmmunity.' Burma does not have the infrastructure, logistics, and resources to field a country-wide rescue effort. China, for the most part, does have this capability. Burma is one of the poorest countries on the planet; China is becoming wealthier by the day. The Burmese are at risk of dying in droves--hundreds of thousands of people's lives are at risk. China estimates that their death toll may be around 50,000, and dysentery and starvation are less of an issue.

It is Burma that needs the world's attention. China is strong enough to look after itself.