(April 14, 2011) Three decades after China’s “opening,” the country’s oppressive style of leadership continues. Fearing a public uprising, the government has begun silencing critical elements – the high profile artist Ai Weiwei detained on a trumped up charge in early April has not been heard from since. Independent thinkers, such as Probe International Fellow and outspoken journalist Dai Qing, may be targeted next. Renowned Chinese fiction author Ma Jian writes about the significance of the Ai Weiwei arrest.
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China pledges to build more hydropower by 2015
(April 13, 2011) According to official Chinese media, China will be begin construction of hydro projects totaling 120 megawatts within the next five years.
Zeng Jinyan: Salt panic highlights a crisis of confidence in China
(April 12, 2011) In this first in a series, Voices From China, Chinese blogger Zeng Jinyan writes that the panicked response of Chinese citizens to the Japanese nuclear crisis betrays a fundamental distrust of the Chinese Government and official media.
Canadian journalist detained in China
(April 11, 2011) Toronto Star journalist Bill Schiller was detained and questioned today by Chinese officials for documenting the persecution of Chinese Christians.
China makes a mockery of the rule of law
(June 30, 2011) The Chinese Government may have released artist Ai Weiwei from his nearly three months in detention, but the terms of his bail gag him.
‘Beautician’ for the Yangtze River
(April 4, 2011) A dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure the Yangtze River flows smoothly
China Three Gorges Hydropower Project Proceeds as Planned After Protests
(April 1, 2011) It is business as usual for the China Three Gorges Corporation, operator of the world’s largest dam and builder of the Xiangjiaba hydropower project in southwestern China, after 2,000 protesters were dispersed by 1,500 riot police.
Les effets des transformations des États sur leurs dettes publiques et autres obligations financières
(April 21, 2011) Alexander N. Sack, Recueil Sirey, Paris, 1927.
Thousands of Chinese citizens protest forced resettlement by hydro dam, clash with police
(March 31, 2011) Thousands of Chinese residents displaced by the Xiangjiaba hydrodam protest China’s resettlement policies.
Can Suez Environmental bring Chongqing Water International?
(March 30, 2011) In this post, we look at the most logical company this could be: Chongqing Water, a Chinese State-owned enterprise. Suez Environment owns a 6.7% stake in Chongqing Water and has already done a number of joint projects together in China. In this post, we address the question: Can this partnership expand outside of China?
China’s Mekong development costs neighbours plenty
(March 30, 2011) Communities dependent on the Mekong River for income and food say upstream dam development by China has disordered the river and endangered livelihoods.According to longtime residents who live alongside the river , topsy turvy tide flows caused by dam operation have brought floods, ruined crops, and made planning ahead impossible. With more hydropower projects on the cards, locals fear China is the only beneficiary of changes to the Mekong – a 5000 km waterway that flows through six countries.
Public asked to report earthquake omens
(March 30, 2011) According to China Daily, the Chinese government is proposing new emergency preparedness measures which would encourage citizens to report signs of imminent earthquakes to officials, but forbid people from publicly predicting them.
Citizens’ group expresses concern over building dams in seismically active areas of India
(March 29, 2011) The North East People’s Alliance, a group composed of activists and NGOs in North East India, is calling for a halt to large hydro dams, which they fear will trigger further seismic activity in the area.
China’s reaction to the Japanese nuclear crisis
(March 28, 2011) While the world focuses on the nuclear crisis in Japan, China is contemplating a rapid expansion of its nuclear energy capacity. China currently has 13 operating nuclear reactors, 27 under construction, 50 planned, and 100 more proposed. By 2020, the country’s nuclear capacity is expected to increase ten-fold. The Chinese government reacted to the crisis in Japan by announcing a moratorium on nuclear project approvals, pending a review of their nuclear safety plans.
Beijing officials fiddle in face of crisis
(March 28, 2011) Rather than implement the hard-hitting measures needed to turn Beijing’s water shortage around, officials defy logic with a soft approach.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
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Probe International 