The new fund allocation system provided local residents more flexibility to develop projects in need. Private investment not only brought more capital and more effectively allocated resources, but also increased local incomes.

"The government mainly focuses on projects concerning people's livelihoods and should encourage enterprises to take the lead for other projects under the market mechanism," commented Qin. "It is important for the government to work hard on infrastructure and offer policy support to attract more social resources."

Jiange County rebuilt a few historic attractions including its ancient defensive pass, roadways and villages, and invited private enterprises to invest in tourism facilities like 4D theaters, 4-star hotels and local hot springs. As a result, from its formal launch in May 2009 to the week-long National Day holiday in October of the same year, the Jianmenguan tourism area attractied a large number of tourists, with a tourism revenue of about 1 million yuan ($151,000). The county's revenue in 2009 increased 170 percent over the previous year.

"All-out assistance and paired aid programs mark the Chinese model of disaster relief, while the participation of all social sectors under market mechanism is another feature in this model," concluded Qin. "The Chinese model has created stunning progress in the reconstruction and development in the affected areas."