I have questions for the leaders of China. Why did so many children die in their schools? What will be done to prevent this in the future?

Albert, Los Angeles, United States

I read this just after listening to Barack's recent commencement address. It all makes me hope that we poor humans do have a future of openness and simple honesty. God Bless America and China! Oh yes, and all those other countries as well!

Richard Conn Henry, Silver Spring, MD, USA

Well you know what, sometimes the door is always open, it's just the people are not willing to look into it seriously. Chinese need to know more about the world, but the world really really need to know more about China.

Peidong Yu, Durham, USA

James (Danish Canadian Australian)

I am glad China is opening up to the world. It can only be for the best.

Javes, Budapest, Hungary

Those who've been in China a while already know China has been opening up. The only recent change has been the media's perception of China. Note how many articles written about the quake describe the Chinese who rushed to help as being nationalist as if the Chinese has no capacity for compassion.

keith, HK,

thank you

zhangfeng, Shanghai, China

there's still a long way to go

zhangfeng, Shanghai, China

Twenty years ago serious people within the Beijing government wanted to embark on a course of political reform. The Tiananmen event put an end to that. At the time Wen was a mid level official and he was identified with the reformist group. Perhaps he can revive the project.

Michael (Chinese Canadian), Toronto, Canada

Jane, thanks for your nice report. As a hongkongnese, I notice that rural counties in China already have free election. China is much more democratic than before and still keeps chinese culture identity. This is new and exciting. Different cultures should have different democratic systems.

John Lee, Hong Kong, China

As a hongkongnese, I am proud to have Chinese culture which is very compassionate and resilient. I truly believe that Chinese people and British people will be a very good friend. China right now tries to combine modern democracy with ancient Chinese philosophy, which is very exciting experiment.

John Lee, Hong Kong, China

A fact that has been always ignored: self-centered Middle Kingdom had NO foreign affair ministry at all for millenniums until modern time. Still, she is deeply suspicious of the west. This's probably the first time in her histry that she embraces D world. So everyone should be patient, inclu media.

Dr. Wang, Mayfair, London, UK

I think the Chinese leadership has had a shock and not just from the earthquake ,as they have had these ,and larger ,before.What they are conscious of in these, by necessity, more open times is the reaction to their problems in Tibet, with the world due to visit them later this year.

robert everitt, wolverhampton,

Good report. True, China will be governed by one-party system for a long time yet, but increasingly it is a collective leadership, not authoritarian dictatorship once ruled China. This is the path majority Chinese prefer, so West must be patient, fair and respectful when dealing with China.

Luo, London, UK

I remain to be convinced,lets see if Tibetans are given a fairer crack of the whip in their own land and true religious freedom
Let the Chinese communist party allow Dalai Lama to return to his homeland.

Jean, London, England

John Lee, Hong Kong, China

Are you shy to call yourself Chinese? Why HongKongnese? Is Hongkong not in China? You should be proud of being Chinese, of Chinese Culture & heritage. Whether you admit it or not, the future of Hongkong & Taiwan is with China.

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

China's closed door policy was because it feared the Western press will influence its people. But now, thanks to the recent Tibetian riots, the Western press has so infuriated the average Chinese that their government no longer needs to convince them the press are lying. Its open doors from now.

Ed Uchegbu, Owerri, Nigeria

Jane, thanks for your nice report. As a hongkongnese, I notice that rural counties in China already have free election. China is much more democratic than before and still keeps chinese culture identity. This is new and exciting. Different cultures should have different democratic systems.

John Lee, Hong Kong, China

China has changed so much in d past that many of d west failed to see. D quake had brought d people, army & govt even closer. D unity and resolve to conquer d disaster is beyond words. China will change at its own pace and way. Surely others, esp.Myanmar is learning from China. Go China,Go Myanmar.

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

For the last 30 years, the chinese government has empower its people with education and a stable environment for economic growth.
Although it has many flaws and failed policies, it has the willingness to embrace for change and is learning quick as it go along.

ivan, sydney, australia

Leaders such as Wen Jiabao who genuinely care about the people deserve our respect. I hope China will become more and more open, and also give the media more and more freedom. A free media is the most effective defense against corruption.

Wilson, Brooklyn, USA

People always fear and suspect the unknown. A more open policy will allow everyone to appreciate what a wonderful country China is.
I do hope this new policy continues. This will also have an influence all neighbouring countries in the region.

Ray Harvey, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

The earthquake will definitely change China.

It already changed the country. Think of the quick response from the government, the transparency, the volunteers, the unprecedented power of the public, esp the bloggers.

The question is how much the quake will change China in the long run.

Ken, Arlington, USA

Thanks for the report.
At least, no politics associated.
China is changing so fast, still not perfect as so many other countries and has so much challenges whenever you multiple the problems by 1.3 billion.
But, heading to the right direction.

Jinyu Ni, Sydney, Australia