The Historical Progress Of Wenchuan Earthquake Relief

May 12, 2008, Wenchuan County in Sichuan occurred 8.0 earthquake disaster. This earthquake affects the scope to be broad, destructiveness is big, the personnel casualty is serious, the property and the economic loss are huge, brings the serious psychological wound for the local resident. After the earthquake, the party and the government immediately instructed to make disaster relief that is save people's lives at all costs; Rescue military responded rapidly , builded three-dimensional land-air rescue composed by a variety of army; Volunteers organized quickly from across the country. They make every effort to support the disaster areas through donate money, donate blood and overtime working. They have done a lot of professional works such as the repair communication, roads and other infrastructure facilities. At the same time they have attended the working of rescuing the wounded and giving the victims psychological comfort. Wen chuan earthquake disaster shocked the Chinese and the world. Governments from the entire world have to donate a large number of materials. Russia, Japan, Korea and other 11 countries sent rescue teams and medical teams to help victims. Comparison with Tang Shan earthquake broken in 1976, there're great historical progress in many different aspects such as the concept of earthquake disaster relief, rescue force's composition and the degree of information disclosure. Specifically speaking, the progresses display mainly in the following four areas:(1) From the rejection of foreign aid to acceptation of foreign aid. Tang Shan earthquake had broken in the "Cultural Revolution" later. The political theory prevailing in"The Cultural Revolution"time influenced the practice of earthquake relief. China's leaders and citizens have been accustomed to distinguish enemy and friend from the ideology because of the ultra-left trend of thought swamped in the "Cultural Revolution" later. They thought that accept foreign aid mean not only to give up "self-reliance" principle but also to show weakness to capitalist countries. More importantly, it mean to deny the superiority of the socialist system. At last we instinctively rejected humanitarian aid from abroad. However, the Chinese government not only to accept international assistance, but also allow international rescue teams involved in disaster relief scene in the Wenchuan disaster relief.(2) From close information to information transparent. After the Tang Shan earthquake, as"the gang of four"dominated the mainstream media executive power, they prohibited reporters to report casualties, losses. It can be say that the public's right of information have been tramped. After the earthquake, all kinds of old or new media made a most objective and true coverage. Transparent and publicly information fulfill the right to know. Furthermore, it mobilize the citizen's enthusiasm to participate in earthquake relief. In a certain extent, it contributed to the positive interaction between the government and society.(3) From politics in command to People-oriented. Tang Shan disaster relief when they adhere to the "class struggle overriding" .Government asked people not to forget to criticize Den Xiaoping in the affected areas. They putted the political in the first place. However, rescue forces in Wenchuan disaster relief have always been to save human life in the first place . After the emergency relief stage, whether the establishment of the national day of mourning, or the formation of post-disaster reconstruction planning, permeates the " people-oriented "concept.(4) From the purely national power to the force of state and civil society integration. There are only the military attended Tang Shan disaster relieves. This mainly due to the structure of "strong state" and "weak society". State forces is considered the only legitimate and reliable rescue forces, other social organizations are not recognized. The large number of volunteers attended the Wenchuan disaster relief. They become a useful complement of national power. Thanks to the reform and opening up gradually improve as democracy the rule of law, a gradual increase awareness of our citizens. Various non-governmental organizations recognized by the state gradually. They have been a guiding force through participating the work of environmental protection and education, in which they became a guiding force. The accumulations of these experiences help them play an important role in earthquake relief.The analysis shows that we have made great historical progress .Those thanks to the insistence, reform and improve of the socialist system.