(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-27 13:56

Field reporters give live reports of search-and-rescue operations. News about China's deadly earthquake is being updated around the clock -- tallying death tolls, the horrendous damage and the government's swift response.

No restrictions have been imposed on foreign reporters to visit the disaster area to cover the event, such as shooting pictures, interviewing  people, and distributing stories and photos to the world, BBC reported.

China's media have been quick to provide the figures of the dead and the missing in the quake, and broadcast footage of toppled buildings and devastated roads within the first few hours, AP said.

"The nonstop, candid coverage is remarkable given China's usual response to disasters," commented AP.

Another AP report on May 24 commented that with allowing uncharacteristic openness in the 24-hour earthquake coverage, China's national media have shaped the news agenda and gained sympathy for a catastrophe that has killed more than 60,000 people. China is receiving wide-ranging praise for its quick earthquake response.

WELL-ORGANIZED RELIEF EFFORTS

A commentary of Britain's Daily Telegraph said the Chinese leaders' response to the massive earthquake destruction has been "impressive."

The 50,000 troops dispatched to Wenchuan, the epicenter of an eight-magnitude earthquake, have made an immediate impact to efforts in helping to rescue trapped survivors and distributing vital food and medical supplies, the daily said.

"The operation has been well-managed, with airports closed to civilian traffic so as not to impede relief flights. Television bulletins broadcast appeals for blood donations, and priority has been given to restoring electricity and clearing roads," it said.

The Chinese have demonstrated their proficiency at crisis management, the article commented.

A BBC report saw the Chinese government quickly mobilizing a large amount of materials to implement "deeply impressive" relief measures. It believed that at this stage of China's economic power, the nation is capable of weathering the disaster.

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