Damage tied to corruption

Beijing: Corruption and lax enforcement of stringent building codes could be important factors behind many of the collapsed buildings in China's worst earthquake in decades, an expert said.

"Enforcement costs money and officials at many levels are involved," said Ashley Howlett, a partner with Jones Day, who heads the Greater China construction practice. "There is a lot of corruption," said Howlett, who is involved with all aspects of the design and construction process and has written a book on China's construction laws.

"China's building codes are very clear," he said. "If a similar earthquake hit near Beijing I don't think you would see this kind of damage."