(April 2, 2002) Small cracks in the Three Gorges dam discovered in 1999 have multiplied and grown. Construction officials say that although they regret not having taken the problem seriously at first, it is now being fixed.
Three Gorges firm expands capacity, pumps more power
(March 29, 2002) China Yangtze Power Co, operator of the world’s biggest hydropower project, produced 8.2 per cent more electricity last year, Shanghai Daily reports.
The race to salvage the Three Gorges treasure trove
(March 28, 2002) Journalist and environmentalist Dai Qing laments the impending loss of archeological sites, cultural artifacts and the invaluable information they contain. Read the text of her talk delivered on March 27 at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Yangtze shipping industry braced for a rough patch
Local shipping firms are worried about economic losses they may encounter when navigation is disrupted for as long as two years because of the Three Gorges project, the Chongqing Evening News reports.
World Bank-funded wastewater scheme hits a snag
(March 28, 2002) A wastewater-treatment project that must be up and running before the Three Gorges reservoir is filled next year is behind schedule because of citizens’ demands for higher compensation, the Chongqing Morning Post reports.
The race to salvage the Three Gorges treasure trove
(March 28, 2002) Journalist and environmentalist Dai Qing laments the impending loss of archeological sites, cultural artifacts and the invaluable information they contain. Read the text of her talk delivered on March 27 at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
China says controversial dam plan won’t harm neighbours
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said downstream countries should trust China to act responsibly in deciding on the Nu River dams: ‘The Chinese government is serious-minded, has rigorous policies and will be responsible.’
Complaints of corruption surface as town slips underwater
(March 25, 2002) If it wasn’t enough having your home town dynamited and submerged under a reservoir, residents of Fengjie – directly in the path of China’s vast Three Gorges dam project – say much of their relocation money is being stolen by corrupt officials.
Concerns raised over dam report
‘We are wondering which part of the [Nu River EIA] report constitutes a state secret,’ said Wang Yongchen of the Beijing-based Green Earth Volunteers. She said officials should explain why they refused to make public the project’s impacts.
Green energy begins to make sense
(March 21, 2002) ‘While going green has consensus with the Chinese leadership, much depends on government will if renewable energy such as solar, wind and geothermal are to emerge as significant sources in China’s overall energy mix.’
Three Rivers hydro-electric project checked by World Heritage status
‘Willingness to respond positively to the fears about the Nujiang hydro-power development would certainly further enhance [China’s] standing in an area of global policy which presents one of the 21st century’s greatest challenges.’
Dirty dam draws dirty smelters
(March 19, 2002) China has been involved in building the Bakun dam in Malaysia’s eastern Sarawak state, and is now eyeing the problem-riddled project’s surplus electricity to run an energy-hungry and polluting aluminum-smelting operation.
Pace and scope of protest in China accelerated in ’05
(March 19, 2002) ‘The scale of unrest is extraordinary for any country in peacetime, with an average of 240 incidents each day.’
Big dam beset by big money troubles
(March 19, 2002) The cost of moving people to make way for the Three Gorges dam has soared hundreds of millions of dollars over budget and is one reason project managers are now scrambling to resolve funding problems, a respected Chinese publication reports.
Chinese PM warns on rural unrest
(March 15, 2002) Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has said that land seizures by local authorities are a key threat to rural stability. ‘We absolutely can’t commit an historic error over land problems,’ Mr Wen said.
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