Not just growth but green growth - FU Jun (Peking University)*

Prologue - Disasters

On August 8, 1988, a strong typhoon approached the coast of Zhejiang province, China. Moving inland, the typhoon was soon to pass through Baisha -- a small village nestled in Tianmu Mountain range. Fierce gales blew, lighning flashed, thunder rumbled, and rains fell, with precipitation reaching 250 mm in one day. The typhoon caused severe falsh floods and mudslides, damaging roads, bridges, houses, and power grid and leaving a trail of destructions and deris. 

Baisha village was damaged beyond recognition. "At least 20 houses were destroyed. Many roads were damanged. Fortuantely, no one died," recalled Mr. XIA Zhongshu, an old man of Baisha village. In the wake of the disaster, the villagers toughed it out. Within one year,  they rebuilt houses, roads, bridges and restored power. Life continued... But before long, disaster struck again. 

Copyrighted material. Use in class discussion is authorized by Prof. Fu Jun.

This is part of a narrative project on China stories and is financially supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. During various stages of its composition and rendition, including research, interviews, transcribing, drafting, drawing, translations, and classroom teaching and discussion, I have been assisted by a dedicated taskforce. Members include Zhou Qiang, Yin Jianhong, Xin Ying, Gabriel Lerner, Zoe Jordan, and Zhao Ting. I also want to express my thanks to students, too many to name here, especially from developing countries, for participating in my classes and training sessions, and giving feedbacks.