January 16, 2001 – Official sources said yesterday that Cha Keming, a former deputy minister of power and vice-general manager of the State Power Corporation, had been formally arrested for taking bribes during power project tenders. Mr Cha worked with Mr Li, who is now the second ranking Communist official and chairman of the National People’s Congress (parliament), when Mr Li was minister of power. Tan Aixing, head of the State Power Corporation’s international co-operation department, has also been arrested following a lengthy investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the country’s top graft-busting body. Several other officials at the corporation are under investigation or suspicion and further arrests are possible. Officials said the arrests and continuing investigation into other wrongdoings within the State Power corporation – the successor organization to the power industry ministry – have thrown the sector into turmoil and focused attention upon the inefficiencies inherent in one of China’s remaining monopolies.

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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
Assistant Editor Lisa Peryman

January 22, 2001
ISSN 1481-0913