Latest comments posted about Hydropower on the Nu: one river, many perspectives on ChinaDialogue en-gb http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/1816-Hydropower-on-the-Nu-one-river-many-perspectives- http://staging.chinadialogue.net/images/cdlogo.gif http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/1816-Hydropower-on-the-Nu-one-river-many-perspectives- Its great that China is becoming less top-down; however, the majority of Chinese people, along with the government, care much more for economic prosperity than the environment. Whatever brings the most money now or in the near future will be the ultimate decision for hydropower. I would like it if China would think more about the environment. Developments in hydropower is great for many people in China. Many of the arid regions can sustain life only because of hydropower, but have any China officials thought about the effects of unchecked development. Soon all of China's sacred and natural river systems will be gone; forever. These rivers have a high value that wont be appreciated until China's steady economic growth slows or flat-lines. - Chad Sun, 27 Apr 2008 02:19:08 -0400 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7268 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7268 So the fundamental problem is not about environmental awareness, willingness, technological capacity or whatever, but it is down to this question: whether those in power intend to make the country prosper and thrive, or they're simply interested in their personal gain. I suspect they haven't figured it out yet. Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:39:51 -0400 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7201 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7201 It is great to see everyone's comments on my article. I agree with Thomas H. Kahn (and Andy Mertha) that hydropower politics in China are much less top down than 10 years ago. But leaders in the Nu Prefecture want the dams mostly because they will see a 27 fold increase in government revenue if they are built, not because they are visionary water managers. And though there has been opposition to this project among concerned environmental organizations, journalists, and academics, I disagree with characterizations of the Nu River situation as a "grassroots victory." No one in the Nu River valley can openly argue against the dams without facing punishment, nor would many of them want to. It is very different than the Tiger Leaping Gorge case. My dissertation "Damming China's Grand Canyon: Pluralization without Democratization in the Nu River Valley" goes more into this. Again, wonderful to dialogue with everyone. Thanks! - Kristen Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:42:13 -0400 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7172 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7172 Dear Everyone, The Nu / Salween River basin is very remote and spectacular place on earth as to hydro-meteorology, ecology and culture. It was topic of my MSc thesis in 2005. If you are interested, visit the corresponding website on http://www.salween.unibe.ch Regards, Chris Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:01:59 -0400 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7167 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7167 Environment protection vs development is a issue never easy to cope with, however,China only need to undertake the obligations which should be undertaken. Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:19:23 -0400 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7155 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7155 In China, few people care about environment protection and those who claim to be protectors seldom act upon the words. It is very regretful. Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:22:47 -0400 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7161 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7161 I think the Chinese government must have considered the advantages and disadvantages that the dam projects may come into being. And their action must be reasonable. I stand with them. Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:45:29 -0400 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7156 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7156 Andrew Mertha's new book "China's Water Warriors - Citizen Action and Policy Change" (Cornell University Press, March 2008) provides new and interesting perspectives on resource management (specifically: water), mapping in great detail the various and oftentimes conflicting layers of government agencies involved in dam construction. From the press release: "[Mertha] argues that as China has become increasingly market driven, decentralized, and politically heterogeneous, the control and management of water has transformed from an unquestioned economic imperative to a lightning rod of bureaucratic infighting, societal opposition, and open protest. Although bargaining has always been present in Chinese politics, more recently the media, nongovernmental organizations, and other activists--actors hitherto denied a seat at the table--have emerged as serious players in the policy-making process." I have read through the book briefly and had a chat with Andrew a week ago where he stated clearly that the decision making process in respect to damming China's rivers has become much more complex, and much less top-down; in fact it is very often local cadres who are interested in using dam construction as a way to manage water, and not Beijing. But no matter what level of authority, under these (new) circumstances the "pluralization of the Chinese policy process" places a higher degree of responsibility on more shoulders. One chapter in Mertha's book, btw, deals with the Nu River hydropower plans. Thomas H. Hahn/Cornell Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:10:13 -0400 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7158 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7158 Environmental protection isn't only the international responsibility of nation states, especially in terms of waterway protection. If we insist on saying it is a responsibility, then surely it is more of a responsibility for the citizens (that is to say - us). Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:34:41 -0400 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7157 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7157 The dam construcion issues has been argued for years, but major medias seldom pay attention to that issues. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:58:01 -0400 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7154 http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/summary/1816#comment-7154