In May 2008 , a massive earthquake registering 8.0 on the Richter scale hit Sichuan province of China , exacting a death toll officially estimated at approximately 70,000 . The government responded more quickly than it did with previous events , and has allowed foreign media access to the regions that were hit the hardest . The adequacy of the government response was generally praised , and the relief efforts extended to every corner of Chinese life . In May and June 2008 , heavy rains in southern China caused severe flooding in the provinces of Anhui , Hunan , Jiangxi , Fujian and Guangdong , with dozens of fatalities and over a million people forced to evacuate . As of 2009 China has increased its internet monitoring capabilities by adding hundreds of new monitoring stations
severe flooding
2008 South China floods
History of the People's Republic of China