Switzerland–ABB, the global technology and engineering company, has been awarded a contract to deliver advanced high-voltage switchgear for the Three Gorges hydro power station in China. The US$ 112-million contract – the third order ABB has won for this major power infrastructure project – was awarded by the China Yangtze Three Gorges Project Development Corporation. Construction is scheduled to begin in the year 2001 and to be completed in 2004.
It’s ecology vs economy, China warns
SEPA vice-minister Zhu Guangyao said the Chinese government would ‘make very substantial changes to the original development process’ for the Nu River dam project.
Power struggle
(August 16, 1999) Inside Beijing’s Zhongnanhai Compound, where China’s top leaders work, the Three Gorges power project is known as Canada’s Dam.
China: Yangtze River dam project gets funding from Guangdong
Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China news agency).
Corruption heightens flood risk for millions of Chinese
The lives of millions of Chinese living near the swollen Yangtze River are being endangered by corrupt officials stealing cash intended to pay for dyke reinforcements and disaster relief.
Capital raised for dam project
The Yangtze Three Gorges Project Development Corporation, which is in charge of the project, has made an effort to find new channels. In the first six months of this year, it received 3.4 billion yuan (US$409 million) from corporate bonds, interbank loans and foreign loans.
Snags and sleaze hit Yangtze dam
China’s leaders have ordered urgent measures to bring the controversial Three Gorges Dam project under control following admissions that it is plagued by corruption, shoddy construction and fears of environmental damage.
Faulty Three Gorges dam unstoppable, says critic
(July 20, 1999) Chinese engineer predicts powerful vested interests won’t allow project’s cancellation
News briefs
Three Gorges Probe July 9, 1999
(i) China’s Flood Defense Ministry Diverted Funds into Real Estate and Stock Market, Auditor Reports
(ii) Yangtze Floodwaters Force Closure of Three Gorges Ship Lock
(iii) Three Gorges Bond Traded on Shanghai Market
State council to confiscate water ministry’s luxury hotel complex
PRESS RELEASE State council to confiscate water ministry’s luxury hotel complex
(July 6, 1999) As millions of Chinese brace themselves for this year’s flood season, state auditors have discovered that the Ministry of Water Resources, the agency responsible for the country’s flood defense system, has diverted millions of dollars into real estate and the stock market.
‘My Books Are Banned. But I Can Speak Outside’
(June 14, 1999) Business Week Asia Editor Sheri Prasso interviewed Dai on a brief visit to New York in early May.
Dai Qing, Environmentalist, Writer, China (int’l edition)
(June 14, 1999) Dai Qing, 57, the adopted daughter of a famous revolutionary, could have capitalized on her connections to gain power and prestige. Instead, she maintained strong convictions, particularly her opposition to China’s massive Three Gorges Dam project. Now, with China’s leadership acknowledging problems with the dam, the environmental concerns she has long voiced are finally being recognized.
Special report: Major problems and hidden troubles in relocation of Three Gorges project
(May 28, 1999) Focus on Yunyang County, Chongqing City
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Patricia Adams and Lawrence Solomon
Other News Sources
