Indiana University

Indiana University School of Journalism

Summer in London: Global ties

Thirteen honors students from the School of Journalism are spending their summer in London, working in British media and studying British culture.


China’s earthquake rattles CBBC staffers in London

May 20, 2008
Vivian Huang

vivian huang
Courtesy photo
While working and studying in London, Vivian Huang also is concerned about events in China.
What has happened in the past few weeks is almost incomprehensible. Since the beginning of spring break, everything moved at the speed of light. Despite long nights of studying accompanied by my favourite (I felt it would be appropriate to spell “favourite” with a “u” as I am in the UK) energy drink, finals flew by and before I knew it, I was landing in Heathrow.

Right now, I am working at a business consultancy firm called China-Britain Business Council (CBBC). While I had hoped to work in a British-Asian newspaper, working on the business side has definitely been a pleasant surprise. Maybe my parents’ dream of me becoming a businesswoman is not that bad. But don’t worry — I won’t be switching to the Kelley School of Business anytime soon. A visit to the accounting department here made me realize that numbers are still not my friends and I should probably stay on the marketing/PR side of the business spectrum.

At CBBC, the main goal is to help British companies establish or expand their companies in China. With six offices all over the UK and 11 more offices in China, CBBC has been working closely with both the British and Chinese governments and has become the leading UK consultancy firm.

Obviously, constant communication is a must between all these offices in order to be successful in this business. But last Monday morning, the office went into shock when a devastating earthquake rocked southwestern China. One of CBBC’s offices was in Chengdu, not far from the epicentre of the earthquake. Although CBBC people made many efforts to get into contact with the staff of the Chengdu office, the lines were constantly busy. After two days of worrying, the Shanghai office in China finally got in contact with one of the women who works in the Chengdu office.

After a sigh of relief that all the Chengdu staff were safe and sound, the editors of the company magazine and newsletter had to decide how to write about such a disaster. At the time, reports varied on the number of deaths caused by the quakes. The main news agency in China, Xinhua, had a lower number than Reuters or BBC. In the end, the editors had decided to quote BBC, as Xinhua, often censored and monitored by the Chinese government, might not be entirely truthful. Still, everyone thought it would be best to be careful when writing about such a sensitive topic.

This earthquake hit home not only because I am working for a British-Chinese company, but also because China was my parents’ birthplace and my second home (after Chicago). After living in China for two years when I was younger, I have always wanted to go back to be a part of the revolutionary changes that are taking place throughout China. This fall, this wish will come true, as I plan on studying abroad at one of China’s most renowned universities, Tsinghua in the capital of Beijing.

As efforts to assist the rescue come from all over the world, it is heartbreaking to see the death toll rise each day and to see photos of cities wiped out because of the quake. The office is quiet as the rescue efforts continue. But the best we can do is raise money for the victims and send our hopes for survival and recovery their way.