(March 6, 2007) The prime minister, Wen Jiabao, issued an environmental wake-up call to China yesterday, saying the world’s fastest-expanding economy had to move away from red-hot growth towards a greener, leaner, slower model of development.
Dam has minimal impact on environment
(March 9, 2007) The environment in the Three Gorges Dam area has been stable since the water level reached 156 meters fours month ago, a chief project planner said.
Nu River news
(March 6, 2007) The Nu River runs through southwest China’s Yunnan province — and the Three Parallel Rivers National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site — before flowing downstream to Burma and Thailand, where it is known as the Salween. It is Southeast Asia’s last major free-flowing river, but plans are under way to dam it in both China and Burma.
China officials vow stricter environmental curbs
(March 6, 2007) Chinese officials fanned out at the start of the annual session of parliament to pledge concrete steps to implement Premier Wen Jiabao’s demand that China do more to protect the environment while keeping the economy growing.
Fu Xiancai appeals to National People's Congress
Human Rights in China press release
Human Rights in China (HRIC) has learned that Three Gorges activist Fu Xiancai has appealed to the National People’s Congress (NPC) to intervene in his assault case. The Fifth Session of the Tenth NPC opened on March 5, while the Fifth Session of the Tenth National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) began on March 3.
Chinese Premier focuses on pollution and the poor
(March 5, 2007) Prime Minister Wen Jiabao conceded Monday that China was failing on important energy and pollution goals and declared that the country must become more energy-efficient and quickly improve environmental protection to safeguard the long-term health of its booming economy.
Paralysed China activist seeks justice in parliament
Beijing: A Chinese activist working to help villagers displaced by the giant Three Gorges Dam and left paralysed after a beating last June, has appealed to China’s parliament for redress, according to a rights group.
China mulls int’l input for energy law
(March 4, 2007) International input by leading experts will be considered in the drafting of China’s first energy law, industry executives told China Daily on Friday.
Sichuan water to ease Chongqing drought
Chengdu: The central government has ordered water facilities in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province to help the drought-stricken city of Chongqing, the largest municipality in China.
Dai Qing- Journalist turned environmentalist
(March 1, 2007) Dai Qing is a journalist-turned-environmental activist, whose family was part of the Chinese revolutionary "aristocracy." After her father was killed in battle with the Japanese in 1944, just three years after Dai’s birth, she was adopted by Ye Jianying, one of the top generals in the People’s Liberation Army. Ye also served as Defense Minister and was one of the most powerful men in China until his death in 1986.
Fog on the Nu River
(February 28, 2007) The proposed construction of a dam and hydroelectric plant on southwest China’s Nu River has sparked one of the country’s most heated environmental debates.
Aid plan for resettled residents
At least 1 million people, mostly dwellers in Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, have made way for the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project. Now the local government is paving the way for a better life for the resettled residents, at least one out of 10 of whom are unemployed.
Yangtze drought leaves 1 mln people short of water
(February 27, 2007) Severe drought has had a debilitating effect on the Yangtze River, China’s longest waterway, over the last two weeks, leaving 1.5 million people in Chongqing Municipality with water shortages, local water authorities said on Monday.
‘Officials should be held responsible for pollution’
(February 27, 2007) A senior environmental official has called on the legislature to amend its 17-year-old environmental law in order to make government officials accountable for pollution. "The government’s refusal or failure to fulfil its environmental responsibilities has seriously set back China’s environmental protection efforts," said Pan Yue, deputy director of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA).
Flood, drought fears in a haywire climate
(February 23, 2007) China is on alert this year for the extremes of natural disasters. Water Resources Vice Minister E Jingping has warned local governments of the increasing possibility of floods in major rivers, and droughts elsewhere.
Patricia Adams
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