The Amity Foundation

2007 Amity Exposure Tour: Sichuan

On 24 October, China launched a moon orbiter from the spaceport in Xichang, Sichuan. The launch was televised live nationwide. China’s leaders called it a milestone in the country’s space exploration program. The satellite cost 1.4 billion yuan (US$ 187 million).

Just about 100 km from Xichang lies Butuo County, one of the poorest regions of China. Here, a teacher earns about 300 yuan (US$ 40) a month. Some 140,000 people live in this county, most of them in abject poverty.

Watch a picture gallery here.

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