Yeah.. dont think everything made in china is bad. Thats what most people think of things that were made in Japan several decades ago. If I had to guess, it is foundation / slope issue. Looks very devastating. None of the piers were still standing.
I noticed that as well in the pictures attached to the first posted article. The columns seem to have it, but the spans don't. I was hoping it was just the pictures were from too far away to see it, but from the article you posted - maybe not.