Rebuilding after disaster

Three years ago on may 12, when Wen-chuan was hell on earth in the wake of the devastating tremor, we saw tears of despair.

On Thursday, when Wenchuan commemorated the third anniversary of the May 12, 2008 earthquake, and celebrated the "near-completion" of rebuilding projects, we saw tears of different kinds - tears of sorrow for those who died mixed with tears of joy and gratitude and pride.

Amid the rubble, 12 days after the tremor flattened Wenchuan, Premier Wen Jiabao told United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon a new Wenchuan would arise in three years. We have now seen that honored, and honored well. Exactly three years later, a reborn Wenchuan inspires rhetoric about "Chinese self-confidence".