Guest, I have no political axe to grind. I have merely written of the situation I see here in China. I too feel for these people and their families but I would be pleased to see better information given to people here so that they can make informed choices and that this sort of thing might not happen again.

Chris B's final comment above is good one. The root of this disaster lies in many areas. But until people understand the pressures on life in some countries then there will be little sympathy for the plight of illegal immigrants.

Many people in the UK do not have contact with, or have visited the countries that any of the illegals immigrants have come from. How often do you really really speak to a Chinese person in the UK? I do it on a daily basis and I admire them and find them very hard working with a focus on life. But the picture is very complex.

If there was more understanding then there would be a chance that the exploitation could be controlled somewhat by new and more sympathetic immigration and labour laws.

It is only when this sort of thing happens that ordinary folk in the UK are made aware of the problem.

A very good book on modern China is Jasper Becker's 'The Chinese'.
It covers many of the issues faced by the Chinese today and it would give an insight to those who have never really met and spoken with Chinese people.