(March 7, 2007) China has launched an ambitious water-saving plan. But analysts say that if the plan is to be fully implemented, the central government must take effective measures to rein in rampant regional protectionism.
Nu River news
(March 6, 2007) The Nu River runs through southwest China’s Yunnan province — and the Three Parallel Rivers National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site — before flowing downstream to Burma and Thailand, where it is known as the Salween. It is Southeast Asia’s last major free-flowing river, but plans are under way to dam it in both China and Burma.
China officials vow stricter environmental curbs
(March 6, 2007) Chinese officials fanned out at the start of the annual session of parliament to pledge concrete steps to implement Premier Wen Jiabao’s demand that China do more to protect the environment while keeping the economy growing.
Fu Xiancai appeals to National People's Congress
Human Rights in China press release
Human Rights in China (HRIC) has learned that Three Gorges activist Fu Xiancai has appealed to the National People’s Congress (NPC) to intervene in his assault case. The Fifth Session of the Tenth NPC opened on March 5, while the Fifth Session of the Tenth National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) began on March 3.
Chinese Premier focuses on pollution and the poor
(March 5, 2007) Prime Minister Wen Jiabao conceded Monday that China was failing on important energy and pollution goals and declared that the country must become more energy-efficient and quickly improve environmental protection to safeguard the long-term health of its booming economy.
Paralysed China activist seeks justice in parliament
Beijing: A Chinese activist working to help villagers displaced by the giant Three Gorges Dam and left paralysed after a beating last June, has appealed to China’s parliament for redress, according to a rights group.
China mulls int’l input for energy law
(March 4, 2007) International input by leading experts will be considered in the drafting of China’s first energy law, industry executives told China Daily on Friday.
Sichuan water to ease Chongqing drought
Chengdu: The central government has ordered water facilities in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province to help the drought-stricken city of Chongqing, the largest municipality in China.
Pollution problem gets systematic help
(March 3, 2007) China will set up statistics, monitoring and accountability systems to cut emissions this year, its top environmental watchdog said in Beijing on Thursday.
Chinese people have 8 issues on minds as 'two sessions' get underway
As legislators roll up for the "two sessions" — the annual meetings of China’s top legislature and political advisory body — a number of key issues are in the spotlight.
Amnesty needed for U.K. firms caught in corruption crackdown
(March 26, 2007) British businesses caught by the current round of anti-corruption investigations in the U.K. are in need of an amnesty arrangement, says global construction trade magazine, International Construction Review.
Lugar supports EBRD decision
(March 2, 2007) The decision marks the first time any development bank has debarred a company for fraud or corruption committed in a project financed by another MDB.
Theory and practice of cap and trade
(March 1, 2007) But if the investors don’t opt for the projects with the greatest abatement per dollar invested, which is the case if other objectives intrude, then the cap-and-trade system won’t bring about the beautifully efficient, minimum-cost reduction of emissions that economists and environmental lobbyists dream about. And Kyoto will cost more than current estimates allow.
Zero tolerance to ODA abuse
Vietnam has vowed to settle its notorious PMU18 scandal in a strict and
transparent manner in a bid to revive the international donor
community’s confidence in the proper use of official development
assistance, reports Hoang Mai for Vietnam Investment Review.
Worldwide protests against Salween dams in Burma
(March 1, 2007) On February 28, 2007, 19 cities worldwide expressed solidarity in opposing the planned Salween Dams.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
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