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.

The Olympic torch is about to arrive in Calcutta, India, which is certain to be one of the most problematic legs of the relay, alongside Hong Kong on May 2 (the only city in China itself where anti-CCP and pro-Dalai Lama protests will be permitted), Canberra, Australia, and Seoul (where demonstraters are expected to protest against Chinese repatriation of North Korean refugees). Up to tens of thousands are expected to demonstrate, and the Indian police have stated that they are even preparing for the possibility that Tibetans monks may set themselves alight in a damaging publicity stunt (remember Saigon?) It'll be interesting to see how it goes (and how much pressure Beijing will put on New Delhi to avoid embaressing them)to say the least.

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