earthquakes

source: wall street journal digital news

China and Japan are closely linked economically, but their ties are often buffeted by lingering anger in China over Japan’s brutal occupation during World War II. The initial public reaction to Japan’s earthquake—the country’s worst in at least 300 years–was mixed, with postings on Sina Weibo, the most active of China’s Twitter-like microblogging services, including expressions of sympathy mixed with some nationalistic gloating.

“It’s great an earthquake has finally hit the Japanese dwarves,” commented a Sina Weibo user writing under the name Liaoning Taxue Wuhen. “Best if it disappears from the map. Wishing Chinese exchange students peace and safety.” Added user weldon999: “Ha ha ha, saved us more than a few missiles!!!”

Others, however, expressed admiration for the orderly way in which Japan seemed to be handling the disaster. Responding to a photo of Tokyo residents standing in orderly groups in the street after the earthquake hit, Sina user awaybaby wrote: “When Chinese people can get to this level, that’s when we’ll be able to become a global power.”