A number of hair-width fissures found in the gigantic Three Gorges Reservoir dam pose no danger, a spokesman for world's biggest construction project said yesterday.
The announcement, made at a press conference in Beijing, came after the countdown to flooding the first stage of the dam had begun to tick.
"The fissures indicate that we need to make further improvements during (the remaining) construction work, but generally the dam is safe enough and has met the requirements of design," said Chi Wenjiang, spokesman for the Office of the State Council Three Gorges Project Construction Committee.
The fissures in the concrete of the dam were found by a team of experts, sent by the State Council, during their inspection on May 20.
The team made up of renowned Chinese scientists reported that the general quality of the project was good and satisfied design requirements.
The appraisal is an integral part of the preparations for the reservoir to be filled with water by June 1.
Li Haibo, a senior engineer on concrete testing at the dam site, said China has employed the most advanced building equipment and the best construction workers to ensure both the longevity and high standard of safety of the colossal dam.
(China Daily May 29, 2003)
|
