(May 15, 2009) Probe International provides a translation of a story detailing the effects on aquatic life resulting from the construction of hydro dams in the Yangtze. The article was originally published in The China Economic Times, on May 6, 2009.
PBS documentary “Great Wall Across the Yangtze” featuring Dai Qing now on You Tube
(May 14, 2009) While the debate surrounding the effect the Zipingpu dam in China may have had on the deadly 2008 earthquake in Sichuan continues, the toll on citizens that once lived on the banks of the Yangtze is increasingly well documented. PBS recently made its production “Great Wall Across the Yangtze”.
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9aU43suUvg autoplay:0]
China’s earthquake and early warning system
(May 13, 2009) The Chinese government has announced it is installing an experimental earthquake early warning system, capable of sending warnings within seconds before a quake strikes.
China’s government wants to be better prepared for natural disasters
(May 11, 2009) The first anniversary of the Sichuan earthquake that killed almost 90,000 people has prompted the Chinese government to go on a PR offensive. It’s preparing to release a white paper outlining steps to increase public-preparedness and warning systems for natural disasters.
Roughing up journalists in China
(May 11, 2009) As the media coverage of the one-year anniversary of last year’s Sichuan earthquake heats up, reports of attacks on international journalists trying to cover the issue are on the rise. The attacks also come on the heels of the government’s official announcement that 5,335 students died as a result of collapsing schools during last year’s earthquake — the first time it’s released such data.
China’s quake readiness: looking back to 2005
(May 11, 2009) The Chinese government is facing more criticism concerning its earthquake safety plans. A recent article in the Southern Weekend by Qian Gang asks if officials have turned any of their earthquake safety plans–dating back to 2005–into action.
China launches public campaign to counter disasters on quake anniversary
(May 10, 2009) China needs stronger steps to promote public preparedness and early warning systems for natural disasters, experts said ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Wenchuan earthquake.
Mounting pressure on Zipingpu dam’s contribution to Wenchuan earthquake
(May 8, 2009) The debate over whether the Zipingpu dam contributed to the severity or timing of last year’s deadly earthquake in China’s Sichuan province continues to attract attention. Fan Xiao, chief engineer of the Regional Geology Investigation Team of the Sichuan Geology and Mineral Bureau, was recently interviewed by Richard Stone for Science magazine.
China’s dams at risk from excess rain
(May 8, 2009) According to a recent article in AsiaNews.It, China’s Minister of Water Resources has warned that 37,000 dams are at risk of collapsing if the stronger-than-expected rains persist in the coming months and the tropical storms expected by meteorologists materialize.
Dams & Earthquakes
(May 6, 2009) People involved in the design, construction and operation of large dams are normally particularly sensitive to earthquakes.
Conclusion: Peasant protests: action and reaction
(May 3, 2009) In this book, I have attempted to tell the long and detailed story of how villagers affected by the Dahe dam battled for almost 20 years to protect their interests by seeking help from higher authorities, and how officials at all levels tried everything they could think of to deal with the issues that were raised.
Chapter 11: ‘Time to lay down the law’
(May 3, 2009) At a conference attended by prefecture and county officials on April 21, the joint work team gave a progress report to prefecture commissioner Xu Zerong on efforts to deal with the disturbances at the Dahe hydropower station. The record of the conference showed how the significant decisions were made.
Chapter 10: Baiyang 16 goes into battle
(May 3, 2009) With the dispute over the calcium-carbide factory now a thing of the past, the affected groups in Shanyang turned their attention to another major struggle: extracting compensation for fields eroded by the Dahe dam after 1978.
Chapter 9: Let them eat bread!
(May 3, 2009) On August 1, 1987, 200 peasants marched to the Dahe station, led by Tailor Wang, Jiang Youheng, Wu Qixian, Yao Longshi and Liang Yongwu. The heads of the upstream groups and several representatives went to the office at the station to talk to the people in charge.
Chapter 8: Good guys and bad apples
(May 3, 2009)
"The top leaders in Beijing are our benefactors, the provincial leaders are like our family members, there are good officials at the prefecture, there are more bad eggs than good at the county – while all local cadres at the township level are our enemies." – A Yunyang county folk song
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