Are we better prepared for another disaster?

The Chinese media has gone to extremes in observing the first anniversary of the devastating Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan province.

The first was a chorus of how wonderful we are that dominated some of the news pages and prime-time slots. The chorus was so loud that it almost drowned the country's first Disaster Prevention and Reduction Day on May 12.

At the other end were mourning scenes focusing on tears and the sense of loss, swearing that we would never forget the victims.