The westward extension of the world’s largest water diversion project looks set to rock the “cradle of Chinese civilization”.
All dried up
(October 12, 2013) This Economist report looks at the gravity of China’s water crisis, once summed up by Wang Shucheng, a former water minister as: “To fight for every drop of water or die: that is the challenge facing China.”
China’s hydropower output drops
(October 20, 2011) Two recent reports show that China’s hydropower output has fallen drastically over the past year, as decreased runoff from major rivers has led to falling reservoir levels in China’s major dams. The Bureau of Statistics stated that hydropower output was one-fifth lower than last September, while the National Development and Reform Commission measured a decrease of 24.5% – a loss of nearly a quarter.
Weibo Watch: Issue 5
(September 15, 2011) In this installment of Weibo Watch: hundreds of rivers and dams dry up, Poyang Lake continues to shrink, Beijing Zoo’s new amusement park draws an angry response, and complaints about mining in Tibetan culture’s holy mountains fall on deaf ears.
The Yangtze runs dry
(August 18, 2011) “The Yangtze River will run dry” because engineers have gone wild, building so many dams that the amount of water needed to fill all the reservoirs along the Yangtze would exceed the flow of the river. So says “A Mighty River Runs Dry,” a new study by geologist Fan Xiao of the Sichuan Geology and Mineral Bureau in China. Because there isn’t enough water in the Yangtze to fill all the dams to their designed capacity during the impoundment period each year, “an enormous waste of money” will result, with potentially staggering losses to China’s economy, 40 per cent of which comes from agriculture, fishing, industry and shipping along the Yangtze.
Three Gorges Dam crisis in slow motion
(June 11, 2011) Peter Lee takes a poignant and pithy look at the sordid history of the Three Gorges dam. From its questionable inception to the recent drought, Lee examines the government’s methodologies in dealing with critics and problems which come under fire as the Three Gorges faces its toughest challenges to date.
Yellow River is 10% sewage: Official
(May 11, 2007) In the past 12 months, some 120 million tons of household sewage, mostly untreated, have been released into the Yellow River in Lanzhou, capital of Gansu Province in Northwest China, a report by China Central Television (CCTV) said on Wednesday.
A troubled river mirrors China’s path to modernity
by Jim Yardley, New York Times November 19, 2006 Dolka, China: At the two glacial lakes that give birth to the Yellow River, a Tibetan nomad named Tsende stands at the river’s […]
China’s river plan worries India
(October 23, 2006) A controversial Chinese plan currently on the boil in Beijing, that involves damming the Brahmaputra river and diverting 200 billion cubic metres of water annually to feed the ageing Yellow river, is giving sleepless nights to the Indian government.
Yellow River water use to be regulated
(August 2, 2006) China has launched what it said was its toughest water management program for the Yellow River in a bid to stem rampant over-exploitation along the nation’s second longest waterway.
China: Tibetan water plans raise concerns
(August 9, 2006) China’s gigantic water bureaucracy constantly needs to find new work to do and is now turning its attention to Tibet, says a Tibetan expert on natural resources.
Northwest may grab more Yangtze water
(August 1, 2006) China is considering a 300-billion-yuan (US$37.5 billion) plan to divert water from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River to the Yellow River to help the thirsty northwestern areas.
Drought paralyses big hydro scheme
(May 30, 2006) The severe northern drought has shut down the Xiaolangdi Dam, the largest and most expensive hydro-electric scheme on the Yellow River.
Henan dam fails to find customers
(May 14, 2006) China’s US$4 billion (HK$31 billion) dam in Henan province across the Yellow River has been unable to find customers for its electricity, according to its vice-general manager, Wang Xianwu.
China to invest billions on water resources
(February 23, 2006) Beijing announces plans to spend US$48 million in the next few years shoring up embankments and building water-control projects.
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