(December 1, 2007) Beijing’s dead waterways will be brought back to life—temporarily—in time for the Olympic Games, reports The Age. Officials will pump 3 billion cubic metres of water into the city from four dams in neighbouring Hebei province to replenish the water in the city’s dirty canal system.
Water safety problems afflict 300 million Chinese people
(November 9, 2007) Chinese top environmental official says “half of the cities in China have severely polluted groundwater; 300 million people in that rural areas are drinking water with safety problems”. China’s NPC passes “The Law to Prevent and Treat Pollution (modified draft) of the People’s Republic of China” on September 5, 2007.
Facts on the South-North Water Diversion Scheme – Western Route
(August 31, 2007) A series of at least six high dams and seven long tunnels taking water from the upper reaches of the Yangtze over hundreds of kilometres through unstable terrain to the upper reaches of Yellow River.
Polluted China rivers threaten “sixth” of population
(August 27, 2007) Polluters along two of China’s main rivers (the Huai and the Liao) have defied a decade-old clean-up effort, leaving much of the water unfit to touch, let alone drink, and a risk to a sixth of the population, according to state media.
Chinese activists champion human rights in lead-up to Beijing Olympics
(August 17, 2007) Probe International Fellow Dai Qing, one of 40 prominent Chinese activists and writers, called on Chinese and world leaders last week asking them to respect human rights in the lead up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics on the eve of the one-year countdown to the Games.
Where will Beijing get its drinking water?
(August 2, 2007) An article by Science Times reporter Yi Yongyong based on a recent talk by Chinese environmentalist Wang Jian takes us through some of the water supply problems facing Beijing. Starting from the city’s pre-PRC history and moving through the half-century since, he brings us up to the present situation and speculates on the future. He focuses on two of the largest reservoirs that have until recently been among Beijing’s primary sources.
SUEZ Environment plans big bucks for China
(July 19, 2007) SUEZ Environment, one of the world’s largest water and waste treatment service providers, plans to pour 100 million euros a year into China over the next five years to capitalize on the country’s soaring water and waste treatment business.
China’s ‘cancer villages’ pay price
(January 17, 2007) The small hamlet of Shangba is a tiny jumbled collection of houses sitting in the lush green paddy fields and hills of southern China. It sounds idyllic, but many of the locals are dying after drinking polluted water.
A voice in the wilderness is forcing China to heed growing international concerns over the environment
(July 13, 2007) Ma Jun has emerged as the powerful voice of China’s budding green movement.
SEPA calls for more public involvement
(June 22, 2007) After putting two highly polluting projects on hold as a result of public pressure, the top environmental watchdog yesterday said it would seek to establish a proper mechanism to allow for its further participation in environmental governance.
China to improve environmental assessment after controversial PX project
(June 22, 2007) China will improve strategic environmental assessment procedures in key regions and industries after the suspension of a controversial paraxylene (PX) projec in Xiamen, according to the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA).
Watchdog hits decision to build incinerator
(June 8, 2007) China’s State Environmental Protection Administration has hit out at local authorities in Beijing over their approval of a controversial waste-treatment plant near a populated residential area, two days after a rare protest by hundreds of residents in the city centre.
“Eco-warrior” Wu Lihong charged for blackmail
(June 6, 2007) Yixing city prosecutors in east China’s Jiangsu Province have charged Wu Lihong, who was once nominated as one of China’s top ten environmentalists, with blackmail, sources with the local people’s procuratorate said Wednesday.
Wuxi breathes easy again, but water still undrinkable
(June 2, 2007) A team of water pollution experts have succeeded in dispelling the unpleasant odor from the water supply of east China’s Wuxi city, but authorities say the water is still not safe to drink.
Has Veolia Water overstepped the mark in China?
(June 2007) GWI China editor Kathy Liu suggests that the French company may be making some powerful enemies as it continues its drive to be the leading player in the country’s water market.
Probe International 