Probe International

(January 13, 2002) While overall power consumption in China has surged over the past five years, the rate of demand is slowing, according to a State Council report.

(January 10, 2002) ‘We will be watching closely [to see] if SEPA will really ask these plants on the list to stop production if they cannot meet the requirements or if they will only impose penalties, which actually fatten their own pockets,’ Dai Qing is quoted as saying.

(January 1, 2002) Cracking down after a spate of toxic chemical spills, China’s environmental agency has ordered cleanups at some heavily polluting factories and is planning inspections of other big projects.

(December 31, 2001) Sources say the pressure on the Chinese media has become so intense that the Southern Metropolis News recently decided to cut back on coverage of news that would offend the authorities.

(December 29, 2001) Chen Jieren’s newspaper ran a story that said relief funds allocated by Beijing to flood victims in Shaanxi were held up by provincial and municipal governments. The story upset the Shaanxi government, which complained to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

(December 20, 2001) A U.S. Department of Energy report notes that while China is planning or constructing many new large-scale dams, ‘America no longer builds the hydroelectric dams championed by FDR.’

(December 15, 2001) The current Iranian crisis holds dire economic and non-economic consequences for China, Iran’s energy partner. The China-Iran connection covers a whole spectrum of economic activities, including dam-building.

(December 12, 2001) Pan Yue, the environment watchdog’s vice-director, this week made the startling declaration that a lack of democracy meant vested interests had been able to recklessly degrade the country’s environment.

(December 9, 2001) The Three Gorges Project Corp, says the dam has produced a cumulative total of 100 billion kilowatts of electricty.

(November 23, 2001) The Three Gorges and Gezhouba dams will produce slightly less power this year than last, the general manager announces.

(November 21, 2001) Premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao have highlighted rural stagnation and unrest to pressure foot-dragging officials before China’s parliament convenes from March 5 to discuss a five-year national development plan, observers say.

(November 21, 2001) Work has begun to clean up the area that will be flooded in late September or early October when the reservoir water level is raised from 139 metres to 156 metres.

(November 21, 2001) ‘Chinese power production safety faces serious challenges despite stable operation in 2005, said a senior official with the State Electricity Regulatory Commission.’