Guo Weimin:
With Wang's presentation, I would like to open the floor for
questions. Please identify yourselves before asking questions.
Market News International:
Sediment seems to be a serious problem in the reservoir area of the
Three Gorges Project. I have heard that hydropower stations have
been built in Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu in the upper reaches of the
Yangtze River to tackle this problem. It is said that 40 percent of
the sediment comes from the upper reaches. If you try to solve the
problem this way, sediment is likely to pose a problem there. How
will you resolve the problem in the upper reaches?
Wang Xiaofeng:
Sediment is a major issue discussed in the feasibility study report
of the Three Gorges Project. While building the project, especially
in 2006 and 2003, we monitored different water levels of the
reservoir after it began to store water. The reservoir was
projected to take in 500 million tons of sediment a year, but the
actual incoming sediment amounts to only 200 million tons annually.
As I said in my presentation, the incoming sediment has obviously
decreased. The project's sediment discharge capacity has reached or
surpassed the designed capacity. In other words, the reservoir
discharges sediment very effectively. Li and Pan can tell you
more.
Pan Jiazheng:
Sediment was a hotly contested issue when we studied the
feasibility of the project. Experts from across the country did a
lot of research on the issue and came to a clear conclusion. They
foresaw some of the problems that have emerged since the project
started. Things have turned out to be better than what they had
predicted. As Wang said just now, the annual incoming sediment is
less than 40 percent the estimated amount. The sediment discharge
rate, however, is higher than projected. The amount of the sediment
in the reservoir area is completely under control. Because the
water in the reservoir has yet to reach the final level and the
reservoir has been in operation for only a short time, we will have
to monitor the effects of the sediment over the long haul. However,
I think the reservoir's effective storage capacity will largely be
preserved when it arrives at an equilibrium state in several
decades. The Three Gorges Reservoir will not be filled with silt.
The goal is bound to materialize. It will not become a replica of
the Sanmenxia Reservoir. And that's all I have to say.
CCTV International:
I have three questions. First, how is the environment in the
reservoir area of the Three Gorges Project? Second, what will be
the focuses of the environmental protection efforts in the area
when the reservoir's water level reaches 156 meters? Third, how
will China deal with the potential negative environmental impact of
the Three Gorges Project?
Wang Xiaofeng:
The Three Gorges Project is in itself an ecological project. First
of all, it produces clean energy. Coal-fired thermal power
generation units with the same generation capacity consume 50
million tons of coal and discharge 100 million tons of carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere every year. Moreover, the project plays
an irreplaceable role in peak-load regulation of the power system
and flood control. It also fuels efforts to improve the ecological
environment in the Yangtze River region. While sediment decreases
considerably, water quality remains largely stable. The water
quality of theYangtze's mainstream, mostly above Grade III, is the
best of all major rivers in China. Of course, temporary
eutrophication and water bloom have occurred in some tributaries.
We are closely following the situation, although the water bloom is
not serious enough to prompt a warning by China's national
standards.
Geological disasters are another point of concern for the public.
The Three Gorges region was an area suffering frequent geological
disasters even before the dam was constructed. The state has
invested over 10 billion yuan in addressing the geological
disasters in the reservoir area. I should say that the situation
has been put under effective control. However, it does not mean
that no landslides or other disasters will happen in the future. As
the reservoir stores water, its banks will be reshaped. The Chinese
Government is monitoring the reservoir closely and has stepped up
maintenance efforts. I think we can avoid damage to the greatest
extent.
The public is also concerned about reservoir-induced earthquakes,
but our observations since the reservoir began to store water years
ago show no such an obvious signs. The earthquake intensity in the
Three Gorges region does not affect the safety of the dam. That's
the current situation. Moreover, the Chinese Government has made
great efforts to protect the biodiversity in the area. We have
released over 200 million rare fishes, and have also put rare land
animals and plants under good protection.
Speaking of the focuses of ecological development at present and in
the coming years, we stand for dealing with potential risks and
problems scientifically while recognizing the achievements in the
construction of the project and the protection of the environment
in the region in a matter-of-fact manner. This has been a
consistent policy of the Chinese Government as it applies the
Scientific Outlook on Development. We will concentrate our efforts
on the following areas:?
--Planning: We will further implement the plans on
the sustainable and comprehensive development of the Three Gorges
Reservoir and on the prevention and control of water pollution in
the reservoir area of the Three Gorges Project and its upper
reaches.
--Engineering: We will carry out engineering
projects to prevent geological disasters, maintain reservoir banks
and dredge waterways.?
?--Biological measures: We
will continue to cultivate and experiment on amphibious
plants.?
--Management and monitoring: We will improve the
ecological monitoring system in the Three Gorges region and the
middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
--Demonstration projects: We have recently
launched a "7+1" program, which includes seven pilot projects such
as treatment of the fluctuation zone of the reservoir, protection
of the safety of drinking water sources in tributaries,
construction of ecological screen areas on reservoir banks and
pollution blocking in rural and urban areas. Along with the pilot
projects, efforts will be made to improve the performance
assessment of the ecological monitoring system.
We have also taken measures to enhance the environmental capacity.
In the reservoir area of the Three Gorges Project, 190,000 people
and more than 1,600 factories have been relocated. A number of
steps have been taken to control the sources of pollution. All
these efforts aim to improve the environmental capacity of the
region. Of course, many problems remain unresolved. We are doing
research on sediment, the interaction between the Dongtinghu Lake
and the Yangtze River and other issues with a view to resolving
these problems.
United Press International:
You said in your presentation that 92 percent of the fund was
efficiently used, and 8 percent was not. What was the problem? Was
the fund misused during the construction of the project or the
resettlement of the local residents? How were the lawbreakers
punished? Another question is about the relations between the Three
Gorges Project and NGOs. How do you cooperate with NGOs? What role
will they play in the future construction of the project? Still
another question, could you please give some comments on the health
quality of the reservoir water? I haven't found any information
about its chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand in my
handout.
Wang Xiaofeng: .
I didn't catch one of your questions. What I said is that the fund
that has been used accounts for 92 percent of the total investment.
The project has not been completed. I'm afraid you misunderstood me
when you said that 8 percent of the fund was not efficiently
used.
United Press International:
So, there are no problems with the use of fund?
Wang Xiaofeng:
?I said 92 percent but it does not mean that the rest of the
fund was misused.
The Chinese Government values the role of NGOs. I'd like to point
out that they played an important role in the decision-making
process of the Three Gorges Project. They not only took part in
discussion of many problems but also gave us extensive support
while we constructed the project. Their response to some public
opinion was very favorable to us. We will continue to let them play
a role. The water quality in the Three Gorges Project region is up
to the national standard in general in terms of the chemical oxygen
demand. It falls into the category of "drinking water." Thank
you.
Reuters:
How many areas in the Three Gorges Reservoir may be affected by
geological disasters? What is the population in these areas? How
many people have been relocated because of potential dangers?
Li Yong'an:
The reservoir area of the Three Georges Project has been frequently
hit by geological disasters. Statistics show that more than 40
major landslides struck the area in the 1980s. The most serious one
happened in Xintan, which falls under today's Zigui County, in
1985. The accident was reported to the State Council and
transportation along the Yangtze River was suspended for 12 days
because of it. Later, landslides hit Lianziya, Huanglashi and other
places. The provincial government then set up a special agency to
deal with landslides. All these took place before the Three Gorges
Project started. After it was launched in the 1990s, the project
offered a good opportunity to address the geological disasters in
the reservoir area. While the reservoir was being designed, many
experts were organized to study the areas affected by geological
disasters. Large quantities of fund were pumped into dealing with
the problem during the construction of the project.
We invested 4 billion yuan before the reservoir's water level
reached 135 meters. We allocated another 8 million yuan when it
reached 156 meters. It should be said that these efforts have been
fruitful. No geological disasters happened along the mainstream of
the Yangtze River as a result of the reservoir's water storage as
its water level rose from more than 60 meters in 2003 to 156 meters
at present. However, the water level will be further raised to 175
meters. We will be fully alert to the damage done to reservoir
banks by the rising water level. National, provincial and local
monitoring teams as well as nongovernmental monitoring and disaster
prevention teams have been established with the purpose of
minimizing the losses caused by geological disasters in the wake of
the changes in the reservoir's water level.
China Daily:
I have two questions. The first one is for Wang. What mechanisms do
you have to ensure the efficient use of the fund and prevent them
from being embezzled? The second question goes to Li. You said some
foreign companies invited your company to make investment and
participate in projects abroad during the 17th National Congress of
the Communist Party of China. How are you getting on with
international cooperation? What countries and projects are you
interested in? Thank you.
Wang Xiaofeng:
The fund for the Three Gorges Project has been used in a safe and
efficient manner. We have taken measures from three aspects to
ensure their safe and efficient use. First, we have put in place a
responsibility system, a disclosure system and a series of
regulations for persons directly in charge of the fund use and
management agencies. Second, we have established a four-tier
supervision network, involving discipline inspection and
supervision agencies, judicial departments, auditing agencies and
banks. By "four tiers" I mean the state, the province, the county
or district and the town or township. Towns and townships are also
authorized to use fund under many resettlement projects. Third,
inspection and auditing are conducted both regularly and
irregularly. These initiatives have played an effective role
because inspection and auditing reports are made available to the
general public. If I could add, we see to it that the government
does not interfere in the business operations of the project
contractor. However, the Office of the State Council Three Gorges
Project Construction Committee oversees its business activities,
thereby ensuring the fund is properly used. Thank you.
Li Yong'an:
Now I'd like to answer your second question. "Going Global" is an
important development strategy of China. The Three Gorges Project
is nearing completion, allowing us to become more engaged in
international cooperation. Since the project has become a widely
recognized brand at home and abroad, both developing and developed
countries are seeking our cooperation in the construction of
hydraulic projects. Now we are doing research on these proposals so
that we can make decisions scientifically.
Agence France-Presse:
Some experts held a seminar in Wuhan on September 25. According to
the Xinhua News Agency, they warned that there are many hidden
environmental risks in the Three Gorges Project, which may lead to
severe disasters if not dealt with in time. Mr. Wang was quoted as
saying, "Worsening ecological degradation and soil erosion caused
by irrational development have not been fundamentally reversed."
However, it seems to me that all information you gave today is
rather positive. I wonder if Mr. Wang could clarify your warning at
the seminar. Have you come up with any solutions to the problems so
far? Does the situation remain a cause for concern? It was reported
that another 4 million people near Chongqing would be relocated.
Could Mr. Wang please verify this information? Can China learn
anything from the Three Gorges Project when it builds dams in the
future?
Wang Xiaofeng:
First of all, I'd like to draw your attention on the conclusion of
the Three Gorges Project's environmental impact assessment report,
which says that the environment problems do not affect the
feasibility of the project and that the project's positive impact
on the environment generally outweighs its negative impact.
According to this conclusion, I recognized the achievements in the
construction of the Three Gorges Project, including the notable
progress in ecological development and environmental protection, at
the Wuhan seminar. On this basis, I put forward the goal of
"building a first-class hydraulic power project with first-class
ecological environment" and the methods and means to realize the
goal. At the same time, I analyzed the potential risks and
problems. I must make it clear that the Chinese Government has
shown great concern for the potential risks and problems ever since
research on the project began. Some media got it wrong when they
reported that the problems are "unexpected" to China. It was not
"the first time for Chinese government officials to acknowledge the
problems," either. We pointed out that the project's positive
impact outweighs its negative impact when the environmental impact
assessment report was made in 1991, indicating that it does have
drawbacks that we should overcome. I believe this conclusion will
prove to be scientific with the passage of time.
Pan Jiazheng:
I have noticed that many journalists from foreign media are at
today's press conference. I would like to take this opportunity to
tell them of my feelings about foreign press from the perspective
of an ordinary citizen. I have always had a lot of respect for
foreign press and their journalists. I think their reports have
adhered to the principle of objectivity and fairness. But recently
I have found that some media and journalists have profound
prejudice against China, reporting only social problems or the dark
side of society while intentionally ignoring China's remarkable
achievements. Some journalists even distort or fabricate facts in
their reporting. I think these acts will in no way help strengthen
friendship and exchanges. I have collected some of these reports on
the Three Gorges Project, often with such titles as "devil on the
Yangtze River," "a time bomb for global warming," "a reservoir full
of sauce source-like water." As an individual who has devoted the
latter half of his career to the project, I feel greatly hurt to
hear it being described like that. I hope that journalists could
cover China in a more objective and accurate way. Chinese people
welcome criticism from their friends abroad, including harsh
criticism, but please don't demonize us. I sincerely hope that all
the journalists reporting on China can be true friends of Chinese
people. Thank you for listening to my opinions. (Applause burst
among journalists.)
Li Yong'an:
Finally, I would like to talk about the lessons to be taken from
the Three Gorges Project. As the largest flood control and
hydraulic power project under construction in the world, this
project should become a model for harnessing hydraulic power in the
future. In the spirit of the Scientific Outlook on Development put
forward by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China as
a guideline, we have set four basic goals, namely, managing the dam
well, helping develop local economy, improving the environment and
enriching dam immigrants. In future operation and construction, we
will attach greater importance to resettling dam immigrants and
improving local ecological environment. I believe this approach
will enable us to build hydraulic facilities in a more scientific
and sustainable way.
Wang Xiaofeng:
The journalist from Agence France-Presse just now asked about the
resettlement of immigrants. I have already briefed you about the
progress of the resettlement work. I think the difficulty lies in
the size of the immigrants. This is peculiar to China, since it is
the most populous country in the world. We all know that the
$20-billion Itaipu Hydropower plant in Brazil involved only the
relocation of 65,000 people, of whom 25,000 lived in Paraguay. For
historical reasons, China has a much larger population. The Chinese
Government has attached great importance to the resettlement of
immigrants, striving for a stable and well-off life for them. We
have taken the following measures. First, we make sure immigrants
have been reasonably compensated. The government has issued
regulations on relocating immigrants in the Three Gorges Project
region so that the interest of the immigrants is guaranteed by law.
Second, the Central Government has decided to provide immigrants
with economic aid for up to 20 years. Third, immigrants have been
given opportunities to find employment, especially farmers who lost
farmland during relocation. Fourth, immigrants have been given
vocational education and training to improve their skills in the
labor market. Fifth, other provinces and municipalities have been
asked to offer economic aid to regions with immigrants. By the end
of last year, total economic aid had added up to 34.1 billion yuan
($4.6 billion). And along with industrial restructuring and
improved environment for development, we hope all the immigrants
will be taken good care of and their problems will be properly
addressed. I think these measures have so far been successful,
resulting in the smooth and peaceful resettlement of the overriding
majority of the immigrants. Thank you.
Global Radio News:
I have four questions. First, how much is the total embezzled
amount of government fund for resettling immigrants? Second, if how
will you deal with those who need to be relocated and refuse to do
so for various reasons? Third, how much is the total government
relocation fund that has really been used for immigrants? The
fourth question is a follow-up to the question of my colleague. It
is been reported that Chongqing Municipality will relocate 4
million more immigrants. Can you confirm that?
Wang Xiaofeng:
The use of the fund for the Three Gorges Project has been audited
and the audit reports were released to the public. For details, our
friends in the press can refer to these reports. As for the
embezzlement, it has been made clear in the reports that 289
million yuan has been misused, out of more than 50 billion yuan
resettlement fund, roughly 0.5 percent of the total amount. But
this does not mean that money has been embezzled by any
individuals. Over 200 million yuan had been used as planned, but
exceeded the targeted scale. The Chinese Government has made
tremendous efforts to investigate into these misuses. Last years'
audits found out irregularities in spending on some auxiliary
projects, resettlement programs and power transmission and
distribution systems. All the problems found have been corrected,
and this is the best result we can get.
To answer your second question, the Chinese Government has always
tried to solve this problem through democratic decision-making
procedures and the rule by law. I have mentioned that a regulation
has been adopted on Three Gorges immigration. This is a government
rule with legal validity. We need to know specific situations about
those who refuse to relocate and the reasons behind their refusal.
The government should take the responsibility and help them,
whether their reluctance comes from dissatisfaction over community
facilities or due to the difficulty in finding a job. As a matter
of fact, most people who initially refused to move ended up
accepting the government resettlement plans upon learning about
government's well-considered arrangements for them. As for the very
few who still refuse to move after all the efforts, we have to deal
with them according to provisions of the regulation.
Wang Xiaofeng:
The third question is how much fund has been used on immigrants. Of
the 50 billion yuan resettlement fund, a certain amount has been
given to immigrants as reasonable compensation. So is the
post-relocation incentive subsidy, now about 600 yuan per head each
year. Besides these, part of the fund also has been used to set up
communities for immigrants and improve local infrastructure.
As for the so-called 4 million new immigrants in Chongqing, I don't
think they should be called Three Gorges immigrants. All
arrangements for Three Gorges immigrants have to be ratified by the
Central Government. Local government may also make demographic
transfer plans for the needs of industrial restructuring and
coordinated development of cities and countryside. Such a plan is
totally different from Three Gorges immigration. Thank you.
The Financial Times:
My question is about the "7+1" program you have mentioned. The
first question is how much will be spent on the project and how
much of the fund will come from the state coffers? The second
question is how much will be the total amount of immigration fund?
Will it exceed the total budget of 50 billion-yuan?
Wall Street Journal:
According to reports by some NGOs, the Three Gorges Project cannot
be called a successful flood control project, as it has failed to
prevent floods. It could then be deduced from these reports that
the Three Gorges Project should not be considered primarily a flood
control project but a hydraulic power project. What's your
opinion?
Wang Xiaofeng:
The State Council has allocated special fund for the "7+1"program,
which is under the budget for protecting the ecological environment
during the construction period. As the project is still at a trial
stage and implemented only in some areas, the size of the fund is
not very large for the time being. But if this project is to be
expanded to more places, there will be more capital injected from a
number of channels. Of course the amount of investment will also
grow bigger.
With your question on the control of capital for immigrant
relocation, I want to explain that the original assumption of 40
billion yuan was based on a static estimate in 1993. Since then,
adjustments of Chinese laws have driven up the expenses for using
land. So we have raised government funding by 5 billion. Second,
the State Council has shown great concern to difficulties arising
from the process of immigration. In line with the Scientific
Outlook on Development, adjustments were made on the relocation
plan, along with an enlarged budget on immigration, which was
ratified by the State Council last year. An extra amount of money
will be used for relocating immigrants and building schools and
hospitals. Now the total amount of fund for immigration ratified by
the State Council is 52.9 billion yuan, up by nearly 8 billion
yuan.
Wang Xiaofeng:
As for the doubts about the flood control function of the Three
Gorges Project, I don't think I need a long speech to make my point
clear. I was born and grew up beside Dongting Lake, a flood-basin
of the Yangtze River, and have held some important positions at
local government offices. I have seen many times, with my own eyes,
the damage of Yangtz River floods. Hundreds of thousands of lives
have been taken away by the floods since 1935. Can we let this
happen again? The flood control capacity in reservoir of the Three
Gorges Project is over 22.1 billion cubic meters. If this capacity
is well used, the flood incidence rate could be reduced to once per
1,000 years. Facts speak louder than words, and I will stop at
that.
Li Yong'an:
One thing I want to add is that the flood control effect of the
Three Gorges Project is not questionable. The water level will
eventually rise to 156 meters by the end of this year. The project
has produced the desired results this year: Flood peak appeared in
the upper reaches of the Yangtze River this year, but it remained
perfectly safe in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River
thanks to the storage capacity of the Three Gorges reservoir.
If you have time, I suggest you visit the Jingjiang stretch of the
Yangtze River and have an interview with local people, who will
tell you their feelings about being able to live a peaceful life in
the flooding season without worries about the threat of floods.
Wuhan is an ideal city to visit. Before the construction of the
Three Gorges Project, many residents there had been mobilized to
prevent floods disasters during the flooding season. But the
residents of Wuhan can take strolls on the riverbanks in leisure
during the flooding season this year. This is the best illustration
for flood control of the Three Gorges Project. With the water level
of the reservoir rising to 175 meters, the effects of flood control
will be further proved.
I think the best way to know the real situation is to visit local
people during the flooding season.
The Beijing News:
This question is for Director Wang. Irregular weathers have
appeared in Chongqing in the last two years, including the
extremely heavy draught last year and the equally heavy floods this
year. Some people said the abnormal climate has some thing to do
with the Three Gorges Project. Can you comment on this?
And my other question is, when the Standing Committee of the
National People's Congress conducted law implementation inspections
last year, water blooms were found in the Three Gorges region, as
you have mentioned just now. I want to know the situation has
improved, worsened or remained unchanged. I guess the pollution is
mainly caused by sewage and garbage from farmers and city
residents. I wonder if there is a solution. Thank you.?
Wang Xiaofeng:
In regard to the improvement of the water quality of the Three
Gorges Project region, you may refer to the annual bulletin on
environmental monitoring released by the State Environmental
Protection Administration. The report provides very detailed
information on the environmental impact of the Three Gorges
Project. The situation of water blooms is generally stable, and no
large-scale outburst has ever occurred thus far. But we have been
closely monitoring the latest development, which we think is
absolutely necessary. Measures have been adopted to control point
sources and non-point sources of pollution, and 39.2 billion yuan
worth of special fund has been allocated to build over 90 sewage
plants and garbage disposal facilities around the reservoir. As we
all know, it will take a while to control non-point source
pollution. Although we have put it under general control, it will
take a couple of years before we can see the final results. So we
hope you can closely wait for the bulletin of the State
Environmental Protection Administration. Thank you.
As for the downpour in Chongqing, I think Mr. Li is in a better
position to answer this question.
Li Yong'an:
We have closely studied the reasons behind the natural disasters of
floods and draughts in the reservoir area in recent years. This has
happened in relation to global warming. According to some
meteorological experts, the main factor is the atmosphere, while
the impact of Three Gorges is rather limited. Experts said the
Three Gorges Project's impact on climate won't exceed 10 kilometer
and that its impact on temperature won't exceed one degree
centigrade. As for the downpour in Chongqing this year, images from
meteorological satellites show that this downpour takes shape about
10,000 meters high in the air, while the Three Gorges dam is only
185 meters high. That means it has no impact on this downpour.
Pan Jiazheng:
I want to add something in the end. For a long time, factories and
residents in the reservoir area have been used to taking the
Yangtze River as a natural "sewer." They dump all their wastewater
and garbage directly into the river. This practice will be strictly
forbidden. Polluted water in the Three Gorges reservoir will be
flashed to the lower reaches and finally enter and pollute the sea.
Since the construction of the Three Gorges Project started, the
Central Government and local governments have been working together
to eliminate pollution and have put general situation under
control. Some media reports say pollution is also found on the
tributaries of the Yangtze River, but not very serious. We are
fully capable of solving this problem. We welcome questions from
our friends from the media. But we hope you can measure the
seriousness of the problem objectively rather than make a mountain
out of a mole hill.
Guo Weimin:
That is all for today's press conference. Thank you all.
(China.org.cn December 5, 2007)