(October 20, 2009) The Chinese government is once again making headlines for relocating its citizens—this time for the much-criticized South-to-North Water Diversion Project. According to Xinhua, the resettlement of 330,000 Chinese citizens in central China’s Hubei and Henan provinces has begun.
A shortage of capital flows
(October 9, 2008) Probe International‘s latest report is cited in an Economist article that describes how officials planned to divert water from Hebei province to Beijing for use during the Olympics, but instead waited until September 18th to begin the transfer.
Water crisis in parched northern China
(August 4, 2009) The controversial North-South Water Diversion Project is putting more strain on local farmers already struggling from drought that has plagued parts of the country for much of the past decade. One local farmer, Li Yunxi, talks openly about his struggle for access to water.
Beijing citizens invited to express opinions about city’s water prices
(August 7, 2009) In an unusual move, Beijing’s Office of Legislative Affairs has invited the capital city’s residents to comment on a proposed fee schedule for "renewable" water or recycled water.
Beijing’s water crisis
(March 15, 2007) In the short-term, the drought which lasted for most of the winter had surprisingly few effects on the lives of Beijingers bar a few newspaper headlines.
Beijing’s water crisis and economic collapse
(July 15, 2009) Beijing consumes more water than is deposited there by rainfall and snow and has been forced into major water mining projects. In the past, around 50 years ago, the city had numerous aquifers that could be tapped by relatively shallow wells of 2 to 3 meters. Now wells of 50 metres are required to access that water. Indeed of Beijing’s consumption of almost 4 billion cubic metres of water per annum, most still comes from the disappearing aquifers. The fear is that this source of water is rapidly drying up and that has the potential to plunge the capital into major water resource crisis.
Beijing’s Water Binge
(June 27, 2008) Apparently Beijing is consuming water at the rate Marie Antoinette consumed petit fours and there is always a price to pay for such gluttony. Many news organizations (see, e.g., here and here) reported today on a new study, published by Probe International and written by a Chinese environmentalist, entitled “Beijing’s Water Crisis: 1949-2008 Olympics” which reads like a Temperance Union pamphlet.
Beijing faces collapse due to water crisis: Probe International
(June 27, 2008) Beijing’s water crisis is so critical that the city is facing economic collapse and the need to resettle part of its population in coming decades, a leading development policy group said Friday.
Beijing ‘may collapse’ over water crisis
(June 22, 2009) Beijing’s water crisis is so critical that the city is facing economic collapse and the need to resettle part of its population in coming decades, a leading development policy group says. Experts predict the Chinese capital could run out of water in five to 10 years, according to Grainne Ryder, policy director at Probe International.
Academics debate the environmental wisdom of mega-projects
(June 2, 2009) A recent article in the Taipei Times examining the mounting criticism facing the Chinese government in its pursuit of massive infrastructure projects.
The drag of the South-North Diversion Project
(May 21, 2009) A recent announcement that the much-criticized South-North Diversion Project is facing further delays may be the first sign that the Chinese government is reconsidering its penchant to pursue massively ambitious infrastructure projects.
Beijing Water Authority postpones South-to-North Water Diversion Project, Prepares to raise Beijing’s water prices (Update 3)
(May 11, 2009) In our report, Beijing’s Water Crisis: 1949 – 2008 Olympics, Probe International argued that the city’s worsening water shortage would not be solved by building more dams and diversion canals. But rather, the city should implement laws and regulations to limit polluting and water-profligate projects and ensure that consumers and businesses pay the full cost for water. Now, water authorities have announced a hike in water prices. Read the news coverage here.
Beijing’s water supply unaffected by 100-day drought
(February 9, 2009) Beijing’s water supply has been unaffected by the drought that has hit central and eastern parts of China, according to the Beijing Water Bureau. Ample rainfall last summer and the diversion of water from surrounding regions has kept the city’s reservoir levels high despite the latest 100-day dry spell.
Yangtze River water to supply water-scarce Beijing in 2014
(January 13, 2009) The Yangtze River in South China is expected to provide 1 billion cubic meters of water every year to Beijing starting 2014, according to the municipal water authority.
China to spend $3 billion on water projects
(November 18, 2008) China has earmarked 20 billion yuan ($3 billion) of a massive economic stimulus packet for shoring up risky reservoirs, improving irrigation networks and supplying clean drinking water in rural areas, state media said.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
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