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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| New relocations near Three Gorges | New relocations near Three Gorges |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Another 300,000 people are to be moved from their homes near China's Three Gorges dam, according to state media. | Another 300,000 people are to be moved from their homes near China's Three Gorges dam, according to state media. |
| It is unclear if the relocations are directly because of the dam and its reservoir but almost 1.3 million people have already been moved from the area. | It is unclear if the relocations are directly because of the dam and its reservoir but almost 1.3 million people have already been moved from the area. |
| The Three Gorges project is expected to produce 100bn kilowatt-hours of electricity a year at full capacity. | The Three Gorges project is expected to produce 100bn kilowatt-hours of electricity a year at full capacity. |
| The dam is the biggest in the world, and opponents have long criticised its huge human and environmental costs. | The dam is the biggest in the world, and opponents have long criticised its huge human and environmental costs. |
| Controversial project | Controversial project |
| Initial reports quoted the China Daily as saying that people were being moved to prevent pollution in the reservoir, and to protect people against hazards like landslides. A Three Gorges spokesman has since denied this. | |
| Hu Jiahai, a deputy of the local people's congress, told the newspaper: "An eco-screen, or buffer belt, is waiting for approval to be built alongside the reservoir to improve the water quality of the Yangtze River streams and reduce the contamination from residents living nearby. | |
| "Additionally, more people will have to move out of the area to avoid geographic hazards, like landslides," he added. | "Additionally, more people will have to move out of the area to avoid geographic hazards, like landslides," he added. |
| He said the exact number who would need to move depended on an assessment of the geology of the area. | He said the exact number who would need to move depended on an assessment of the geology of the area. |
| But Peng Yehua from China Three Gorges Corporation told the BBC: "These people's relocation is not a part of the Three Gorges Dam relocation project." | |
| "This relocation of 300,000 is a decision of the Chongqing government, to move residents from high mountain areas with harsh living conditions into better lands." | "This relocation of 300,000 is a decision of the Chongqing government, to move residents from high mountain areas with harsh living conditions into better lands." |
| The Three Gorges dam has been controversial from its inception. | The Three Gorges dam has been controversial from its inception. |
| It was championed by former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. Officially, the infrastructure project has cost $27.2bn (£16.7m), but others believe the real price could be much higher. | It was championed by former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. Officially, the infrastructure project has cost $27.2bn (£16.7m), but others believe the real price could be much higher. |
| Critics claim it will cause massive environmental destruction, and others say the forced resettlement of nearby villagers has left many without compensation. | Critics claim it will cause massive environmental destruction, and others say the forced resettlement of nearby villagers has left many without compensation. |
| Scientists also caused concern when they said the massive weight of the swelling reservoir was causing an increase in seismic activity and landslides in the area. | Scientists also caused concern when they said the massive weight of the swelling reservoir was causing an increase in seismic activity and landslides in the area. |