LONGTOUSHAN, China (AP) — Minutes after a deadly earthquake shook western China, disaster teams were on the move. Within hours, food, tents, and even a 4G cellphone network were in place, showing how a fast-developing China can bring its plentiful experience and enormous resources to bear in handling natural disasters.

Yet while the military is leading the relief operation — seizing on the opportunity to strut its considerable stuff and show its commitment to the public good — growing numbers of volunteers from among students, social groups and private businesses are a prominent element of the effort, even if they sometimes get underfoot.