Storm-hit China calls for 'faith'

[truthpusher]

Source: BBC

Storm-hit China calls for 'faith'
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has urged people to "have faith" that some of the worst snow storms in 50 years can be overcome, state media says.
Mr Wen called the extreme weather a "severe natural disaster" as he travelled to Hunan province, one of the worst-affected.

The weather has caused travel chaos and left thousands of people stranded.

One woman has been trampled to death in the southern city of Guangzhou, in a stampede to board a train.

Another southern city, Chenzou, has reportedly had no power for a week, and many of its 4m resident have also been without a stable water supply for days.



Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7224871.stm

[Drum]

1. As far as political buzzwords go, it's been proven to work on us here in the US....

:shrug:

[Speciesamused]

2. China a large contributor to Global Warming.

China's Wen Jiabao and the rest of its communist dictators
should be ashamed that they do not prepare for
catastrophic weather or anything else for that matter.
Do they not have the means to monitor the weather?
With so many people they should be the first to be prepared.
Such a shame. We know they have the financial means.

[zonkers]

3. I fear China. I I can see China breaking up into smaller states and their pollution becoming worse

and more unchecked than ever.

[tomreedtoon]

4. Question: Isn't China still officially atheist?

I mean, I know the Russians made a big deal about state-sponsored atheism, but I wasn't sure that China did the same thing. I would think it ironic if a government that sponsored disbelief in any kind of deity would make such a turnaround. Like maybe they were reaching the limits of Communism the same way the Russians did.

[dysfunctional press]

6. i don't think that they're referring to having "faith" in a deity...

but in the system.

[Virginia Dare]

7. They still persecute people for religious practices..

so yes, it's a little strange that they would use that word, but Mandarin to English translations aren't exactly perfect sometimes.

[Barrett808]

5. Coal shortages cut more power plants in China as severe winter persists

BEIJING, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Coal shortages have closed down more power stations with an aggregate capacity of up to 40.99 million kilowatts, said the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) on Monday.

The affected capacity equals to 40 percent of last year's expansions.

SERC figures show that coal reserves now stand at 21.24 million tons, slightly higher than a week earlier, when the State Grid said that reserves were down 40 percent year-on-year to 17.73 million tons, equaling eight days' supply for China's power plants.

The bad weather is affecting both supply and demand for coal.

Coal transport has been hampered by a combination of the bad weather that has affected much of the country and rising passenger rail traffic as the Spring Festival, the country's major family reunion occasion, approaches. Simultaneously, cold weather has increased coal demand for heating, and heavy rail traffic is also pushing up demand for coal, which helps power the rail system.

Only an average of less than 25 percent of the daily demand for coal shipment by rail has been met, according to the Ministry of Railways.

(more)

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/28/content_7513510.htm

[pscot]

8. The Chinese economy is doubling every 8 years

To maintain that pace they will need to double electrical output, and coal usage. Thus, over the next 8 years, China will burn more coal than it has in its entire existence to date. Take a deep breath. The planet is dieing the Carbon Death.

[meow2u3]

9. "Faith" coming out of the mouth of the Chinese?!

I never thought I'd see the day the Commies in the Chinese government would tell their subjects to have faith. Aren't they supposed to be militant atheists? :wtf: Go figure.