BEIJING , China ( CNN ) -- Graphic footage of death and destruction has been shown on China 's state-run news networks in the days following the massive earthquake that hit southwest Sichuan province earlier this week . Such telling video has rarely been shown by domestic media so extensively and so quickly after a national disaster . CCTV , China 's state-run television network , as well as some local TV stations , have interrupted their regular programming to provide 24-hour coverage of the disaster . Field reporters give live reports of search-and rescue operations . News about China 's deadly earthquake is being updated around the clock -- tallying death tolls , the horrendous damage and the government 's swift response . Footage shows Premier Wen Jiabao surrounded by grieving villagers , his arms tightly holding two young girls . `` Your sorrow is our sorrow , '' he assures them . `` As long as people are still alive , we can start all over again . '' Premier Wen traveled to the disaster areas within hours of the massive earthquake . Chinese television covered his movements while leading rescue operations and comforting people in distress . Wearing a hard hat , he was shown standing on rubble and consoling trapped survivors through a loud speaker . The message is compelling : This disaster is terrible but the government is doing everything it can . Such swift reaction and extensive news coverage has not been seen in previous disasters . When the Great Tangshan earthquake struck 32 years ago , the Chinese media kept the information secret for a long time , even though over 240,000 people were killed . In the early stages of the 2003 SARS outbreak , domestic media downplayed reports on the deadly epidemic , even as it spiraled out of control and spread globally . More recently , severe snowstorms hit southern China during Spring Festival , the nation 's most important holiday . Local media initially downplayed the crisis , following the government 's cue ; Premier Wen Jiabao was later forced to apologize for the government 's slow response . With the Beijing Olympics just three months away , China is in the spotlight . Wenran Jiang , acting director of the Chinese Institute at the University of Alberta , believes the nation has drawn lessons from its past experiences with disaster . `` China made mistakes before . They seemed to have learned their lessons from the earlier episodes and this one -- they probably want to manage it as well as they can . '' Watch latest report on rescue efforts » . Why China 's new approach ? Jiang notes that `` the media follow-up is quite transparent , '' in part because it `` is politically less sensitive covering such a natural disaster . '' Besides , Chinese officials see tangible benefits in allowing media transparency . By showing the leaders helping people and coordinating search and rescue efforts , he explains , `` the result is that the whole [ of ] China is being mobilized . The disaster has now become a rallying point of the country . '' Experts in the region note the stark contrast between China 's open response in the aftermath of the earthquake and Myanmar 's defensive , clumsy response in the aftermath of a deadly cyclone earlier this month . Unlike its southern neighbor , China appears open to accepting international help and providing accurate information . Chinese officials say they welcome offers of sympathy and international assistance . Aid groups have been on standby , ready to help as soon as the Chinese government gives the green light . Officials say that will come `` when the time is ripe . '' Today 's more open , quick and aggressive reporting is a stark departure from China 's poor performance in recent years .
Graphic footage of death , destruction has been shown on state-run networks . Comment: Swift reaction , extensive news coverage not seen in previous disasters . When earthquake struck 32 years ago , Chinese media kept information secret .