(July 10, 2009) Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang has called for efforts to intensify construction and management of the Three Gorges Project and to improve its functions in flood control as the region is now in the peak flood season.

Li made the comment at a symposium on the Three Gorges Project held in Yichang of central Hubei Province on Thursday. He also visited the massive hydropower project, its dam and reservoir areas.

“Efforts should be made to enhance the project’s functions in flood control in a scientific way so as to safeguard the safety of the lives and property of people living downstream and their production activities,” said Li.

Launched in 1993, the Three Gorges Project is a multifunctional hydroelectric facility built near Yichang to tame the unruly Yangtze River and fuel China’s economic development with clean and cheap energy. Its functions also include flood control and shipping.

The project has completed most of its main projects, including a 185-meter-high dam, a five-tier ship lock and 32 generators, 26 of which are on the river banks and were put into operation by October last year — with installed capacity totaling 18.2 million kw.

Unfinished works of the Three Gorges Project include an underground power station where six generators will be installed and a ship lift. Both the underground power station and the ship lift are being built on the southern side of the Yangtze.

Li said the Three Gorges Project is starting to play a role in flood control, power generation and navigation after more than ten years of construction. He urged efforts to ensure the quality of the remaining projects and push for prevention of geological disasters and environmental protection in the project area.

Great importance should be attached to the resettlement of local people and efforts should be made to ensure their livelihood be better and better, Li stressed.

As of April 7, the world’s largest hydroelectric project had generated 300 billion kw/h of electricity since its first generator went into operation in July 2003. The amount is equivalent to 8.8 percent of the national consumption in 2008.

Xinhua, July 10, 2009