January 18, 2000
China News Agency reported on January 12 that the Three Gorges dam has cost the Chinese government $5.65 billion (all figures in U.S. dollars) since construction began in 1993. The news agency also reports that this year the government plans to invest another $1.57 billion in the $30-billion dam, making 2000 the project’s peak investment year thus far. The $1.57-billion investment is assured according to a quote from a leader of China’s Three Gorges Project Corporation, the dam’s sole contractor.
As for resettlement, Xinhua News Agency reported on January 13 that the government had moved 178,000 people as of June 1999. Outside observers estimate the number of resettled Three Gorges residents is fewer than 100,000. Xinhua also reported that the Three Gorges dam will displace about 1.13 million people by 2009 when the dam is scheduled to finish, but Chinese critics estimate the number is closer to two million. The dam will require resettlement of residents in 20 counties and districts in Hubei province and Chongqing municipality.
Three Gorges Probe welcomes submissions. However, it is not a forum for political debate. Rather, Three Gorges Probe is dedicated to covering the scientific, technical, economic, social, and environmental ramifications of completing the Three Gorges Project, as well as the alternatives to the dam.
Publisher: Patricia Adams Executive Editor: Mu Lan ISSN 1481-0913
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