Ｔｈｅ　Ｅａｒｔｈｑｕａｋｅ　Ｗｉｌｌ　Ｎｏｔ　Ｃｈａｎｇｅ　ｔｈｅ　Ｍｏｍｅｎｔｕｍ　ｏｆ　Ｃｈｉ.docVIP

Ｔｈｅ　Ｅａｒｔｈｑｕａｋｅ　Ｗｉｌｌ　Ｎｏｔ　Ｃｈａｎｇｅ　ｔｈｅ　Ｍｏｍｅｎｔｕｍ　ｏｆ　Ｃｈｉ 　　 　　THE world’s attention has been riveted by the devastating earthquake that hit Sichuan Province in May. Apart from timely relief assistance, international think tanks and financial organizations have also been analyzing its impact on the Chinese economy. One of the world’s leading companies for catastrophe risk estimation, Air Worldwide, has stated that the economic loss caused by the earthquake may reach US $20 billion. However, the Financial Times reports that the disaster will not badly impact China’s economy overall, despite the tragic losses, although analysts at JP Morgan believe that the temporary disorder may result in a new rise in consumer prices. 　　To learn more, our reporter interviewed Yang Ruilong, dean of the School of Economics at Renmin University, and Xia Yeliang, deputy director of the Foreign Economy Study Center of Peking University. 　　 　　Growth at Nine Percent 　　 　　 “Keeping economic growth stable and inflation under control require prompt solutions,” Yang Ruilong said. The government has had to adjust its fiscal plans because the disaster destroyed infrastructure and productivity. Therefore, appropriating more money for disaster relief and reconstruction may influence the input into other public services like education and social security. In addition, Yang believes, the quake has created pessimism among investors. 　　 However, he explained that the quake will also boost the market as a result of post-quake reconstruction projects, which will stimulate the building industry, steel production and other related fields. “As a whole, it is possible to keepnational economic growth at nine percent,” Yang said. Meanwhile, Yang appreciates the unity of the Chinese people to rebuild and propel economic development. “Therefore, I am cautiously optimistic about the future,” he said. “Its direct impact on the economy will be limited, and we have the confidence to overcome.” 　　Yang does not den