According to Chinese superstition a disaster of great magnitude
****tends a change of dynasty.
In July, 1976, the worst earthquake in history devastated the city of
Tangshan, with at least 400,000 injured or killed. Two months later,
September 8, 1976, Mao Tse-tung died (this information on the
superstition was in a PBS television do***entary on Mao, that I taped
about ??1994.)
Clearly, one would think of this as the end of the "Mao dynasty."
A few days ago, the the worst quake since 1976 resulted in perhaps a
death toll of 50,000, which might mean around 200,000 injured or
killed. It is far less than the great quake of 1976, but might it
****tend a lesser change?
If there were a "dynastic" change, what would that be?
The first thought that might come to mind is an end of the Communist
regime.
Tibet is a major problem. China's obvious actions inside Tibet are
repugnant to many. I'm afraid to say that some of the statements by
mainland China's authorities about the Tibetan situation sound
laughable to the Western ear, perhaps laughable to modern World
Civilization. These weaken the current regime.
Even to Chinese who treat it as such, the superstition still
introduces the idea of dynastic change, and just focusing on the idea
among many people can be influential.
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