Plug may be pulled on dam over ecological concerns

By Zhang Xin (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-05-22 09:32

Concerns about potential ecological damage from dam-building projects on the Nujiang River are being mulled, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

"I would like to point out that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the exploration and the protection of cross-border rivers and aims to seek a balance between development and protection," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu.

The relevant authorities have been organizing seminars and soliciting the views of experts, related bodies and regional authorities before a final decision is made on dam construction on the Nujiang River, Ma said.

"The government will make a well-informed decision after an in-depth study of an environmental assessment."

Ma's response came after a UN report took aim at China and other Southeast Asian countries' for projects the report said posed "great threats to the ecology system".

Dam-building projects on the 3240-kilometer-long Nujiang River that originates in Tibet, China and runs through Myanmar and Thailand, have been causing a stir since 2003.

In August 2003, a plan for a hydroelectric plant on the river was suggested to provide energy alternatives, but it stalled due to objections from Chinese environmental protection non-governmental organizations.

In February 2004, Premier Wen Jiabao urged relevant authorities to prudently examine and study the likely impact on the ecology and communities of dam-building and to make scientific decisions.

However, preparatory work on the dam construction project has been moving forward.

The South China Morning Post Thursday reported that Premier Wen had called a halt to construction and asked for environmental checks.

"Home to over 7,000 species of plants and 80 rare or endangered animals and fish, dam-building activities can seriously damage the river ecosystem," said Wang Yongchen, from Green Earth Volunteers, the NGO that has campaigned against the dam.

"We hope the public voices will continue to be heard to stop the construction," she said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu Thursday conveyed China's position on the UN climate change conference set for Copenhagen.

Drawing upon a paper "Implementing the Bali Roadmap - China's position on the Copenhagen Conference" which China released on the official website of the National Development and Reform Commission, Ma said the country wanted a positive outcome at the conference that will potentially formulate a post-Kyoto deal on climate change.

Ma stressed any deal should adhere to the principles of "common but differentiated responsibilities" and sustainable development, and take combined measures to alleviate and adapt to the climate change while providing technology and financial support to countries in need. The paper also called for developed nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2020.