Strong Earthquake in Sichuan
An 8.0-magnitude earthquake hit Sichuan Province on May 12, 2008. About 70,000 people were killed and millions of people were left homeless. It was the deadliest earthquake to hit China since the 1976 Tangshan quake. People all over the world and from all walks of life made donations to help the survivors. In November 2008, the Central Government announced that it would spend 1 trillion yuan ($146.5 billion) over the next three years on reconstruction in the quake-hit area.
(Beijing Review: Top 10 News in 2008, No.52, 2008)
Beijing Olympics and Paralympics
The 29th Summer Olympics kicked off in Beijing on August 8. A total of 10,500 athletes competed in 302 events in 28 sports. The Games saw 43 new world records and 132 new Olympic records set. A total of 87 countries won medals during the Games. Chinese athletes won 51 gold medals altogether. After the Olympics, the 2008 Summer Paralympics were also held in Beijing through September 6-17. Over 4,200 athletes from 148 countries and regions took part in the event, and Chinese athletes won 89 gold medals.
(Beijing Review: Top 10 News in 2008, No.52, 2008)
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