The Chinese Communist regime responded by terming the criticism of Teng Hsiao-ping the main task of "Anti-quake and Relief Work," reducing grain rations for the people throughout the mainland, forbidding anyone to ask for relief. Refusing to report on the quake tolls, the Chinese Communists also rejected offers of humanitarian help from the outside world.
但毛共處理震災是異乎常情，悖乎常理，除了嚴密封鎖災情，拒絕國際人士一切支援外，並以批判鄧小平與「反右傾翻案風」作為「抗震救災」的主要工作，同時還減少全大陸人民的糧食配給，不許災民要求救濟。