South China Morning Post
April 25, 2006

Internal documents obtained by Probe International, a Canadian-based NGO, indicate that many government claims about the Three Gorges Dam project could be false.

Internal documents obtained by Probe International, a Canadian-based NGO, indicate that many government claims about the Three Gorges Dam project could be false. The dam will be far less effective at flood control and electricity generation than reported, and huge investments to control pollution will still be required, the documents state, according to the non-governmental organisation. Letters written by Professor Zhang Guangdao, of Qinghua University, and replies by Guo Shuyan, director of the Three Gorges Project Construction Committee, reveal a deliberate attempt to mislead public opinion. "Perhaps you know that the flood-control capacity of the Three Gorges Project is smaller than we declared. The research was done by Qinghua University. After learning this, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Vice-Chairman Qian Zhengying questioned the Yangtze Water Resources Commission. The commission also admitted this was true," Professor Zhang wrote in a statement on May 16 last year which formed part of the internal memos revealed by Probe International, an environmental organisation that protests against large-scale construction projects. "However, we can sort this problem out by lowering the flood control to 135 metres, even though this would affect shipping on the river. But keep in mind, never, ever let the public know this," it read.