(October 2, 2000) Yu Xiaogang has been honoured for ‘his efforts at helping communities at Lashi Lake and other watershed regions [in Yunnan] to gain more say in the decision-making process,’ China Daily writes.
Last hope for river dolphins
The world’s most endangered cetacean, the Chinese ‘baiji’ river dolphin, may finally have a chance of being saved from extinction. But it could be too late; researchers who carried out a nine-day search for the dolphins didn’t find a single one.
Development should take back seat to clean rivers
(September 25, 2000) Huge amounts of pollutants released by chemical companies along the Yangtze River and the Yellow River are severely endangering both rivers.
Underwater museum near completion
Construction of an underwater museum at Baiheliang, also called White Crane Ridge, on the Yangtze River will be finished early next year, Xinhua news agency reported today. The museum houses the world’s oldest hydrologic inscriptions, detailing the Yangtze River’s historic water levels in the reservoir of the Three Gorges Project.
Ministry of Water Resources accused of embezzling US$50-million
(September 20, 2000) Central China Television, China’s official state television network, reports that the Ministry of Water Resources has spent up to US$50-million (400 million RMB) of government money earmarked for water conservancy construction programs on luxury cars, stock investments, and commercial office towers (which the Ministry intended to collect rent on).
China Tops World in Number of Large Dams
China has topped the world in the number of large dams, a senior government official announced Tuesday.
Three Gorges dam environmentally friendly, officials say
(September 19, 2000) China Daily reported that Chinese officials have promised the Three Gorges dam project will be environmentally friendly and will not destroy ecological systems in the Yangtze river area.
Temporary cofferdam at Three Gorges Project to be demolished
The temporary cofferdam at the Three Gorges project site, no longer needed as work on the dam structure wraps up, is to be demolished with explosives on June 6, Xinhua reports.
Three Gorges officials arrested for smuggling construction equipment
(September 15, 2000) Guangzhou Daily reports that two officials working for China’s Gezhouba Corporation, the largest contractor for the Three Gorges dam, have been arrested for smuggling imported construction equipment worth more than US$3-million.
Dissident at large
(September 15, 2000) Excerpt from a profile of Dai Qing: … Having been through so much already, where does Dai Qing find the strength to carry on? Dai credits her family and friends at home and abroad, especially her supporters at Toronto-based Probe International, who have had a profound influence on her life, she says.
Reckless development blamed for fouling of China’s waters
(September 6, 2000) The stench from Dian Lake smothers the tiny farming hamlets that dot its shores. Until 2002, the lake supplied drinking water to Kunming, the scenic capital of southern Yunnan Province, and provided a rich bounty for fishermen and a playground for tourists.
Irregularities in the Three Gorges bidding procedures
(August 17, 2000) Guangzhou-based Southern Weekend reports that there are irregularities in the bidding procedures for Three Gorges dam.
China ponders price of progress at spectacular gorge
Tiger Leaping Gorge, China: Legend has it that a tiger vaulted the mighty Yangtze here at its narrowest point. Before long, anybody or beast might be able to saunter across the river atop a towering dam wall.
Greed for energy threatens to dam legendary gorge
Within days China will pour the final concrete of the massive Three Gorges Dam across the Yangtze River. But completion of one of the great engineering feats of our time will not satisfy the country’s energy-hungry developers.
Flood of angry opposition to dam gets China’s attention
(July 20, 2000) Barely a month after the picturesque Nujiang river was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in July 2003, the Chinese government predictably revealed a plan to do what it has done at more than 20,000 locations across the country: Build a massive dam.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
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