Chinese earthquake

The response to the earthquake in China will be very interesting. Earthquakes are traditionally regarded in China as an omen that the current leadership is about to be ousted.

Added to what would bring out the superstition in your average Chinaman in any case is the fact that the epicentre of the eathquake was in western Sichuan at the border of historic Tibet, the fact that it took place on the 12th of May (which is Buddha's birthday), and the fact that it took place precisely 88 days before the opening of the Olympics.

Add to this the secretive nature of the Chinese government, which naturally leads to rumour-mongering on an even greater scale than in situations where a similar disaster takes place in the West, and you have an opportunity for rumour-mongering on an epic scale.