Sluice gate closes on 3-Gorges-Dam in China

Cable News Network Online ^ | 06/01/2003

[Michael81Dus]

BEIJING, China (AP) -- China began filling the reservoir behind its gargantuan Three Gorges Dam on Sunday in a major step toward completion of the world's largest hydroelectric project.

The sluice gate of the dam began closing at midnight and by early morning live broadcasts on state television showed the water level had already reached 106 meters (350 feet). By June 15, the level is expected to reach 135 meters (446 feet).

[Michael81Dus]

On other sources, I read that the water will flood 4000 former factories, hospitals and dumps as well as more than 40,000 graves.

Impressive, still 400,000 people will be deplaced, more than a million people have left their homes already.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Every Wal-Mart shopper in America helped pay for the dam. Americans should be proud of the growing strength of our enemy - China. We financed their growth.

[Michael81Dus]

I´m angry about the arrogance of China- their one-China-policy especially regarding Taiwan is incredible. I hope that the US will keep their policy of protecting Taiwan. There can be ONE China, but only after the Communist regime is toppled down!

Can you tell me the relation between Wal-Mart and China? Do they invest there, too?

[Ken522]

It seems like everything sold in Walmart has the "Made in China" trademark on the back - check it out!

[Michael81Dus]

Hehe, ok, will do so. I usually don´t buy at Wal-Mart.

[sit-rep]

I do not think the deplacement of the population is of concern to the powers over there. It would be my guess that when the topic came up at "the board meeting" there was a second of silence, then the moderator said, "next topic..."

Let's just hope that after they reach the 500' mark, the dam holds out...

[sit-rep]

"Made in China" is on everything sold everywhere...not just Walmart...

[chainsaw]

The city of Wushan; the water level will be up to the red line.

The river will rise to between 135 and 185 metres at this location, rising to the level shown, just under the level of the bridge (which will be demolished).

[zook]

I don't think it's in our national interest for China to be economically weak. Increasing capitalism probably also helps promote increased freedom. The 3 Gorges project was sad in the way it displaced people and the way it altered a beautiful natural feature, but it's a positive move for China's economy and environment.

[Michael81Dus]

Thanks for the pics. I´m wondering how the water quality will be and if fishers will appreciate to find skulls and bones in their nets...

[Michael81Dus]

It was in our national interest to keep the Soviets weak - and that´s why they lost Cold War. As long China is governed by old Commies, they pose a threat to freedom.

The way the Reds expelled the people living there is inappropriate. Surely the project will help Chinas economy and mean for independance for Chinas power supply.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Wal-Mart is certainly not the only American importer of Chinese-made goods but they are, by dollar percentage, the largest single importer of goods made in China. It's as if China has the largest store in every community in America. Those stores have put local merchants out of business throughout America with pricing no "mom and pop" store can beat.

Of course, when you can have goods made in China by prisoners and slave labor, it's hard for American workers to compete trying to make an honest living.

American politicians and traitorous American executives are in an all-out race to ship every manufacturing job overseas.

In the long run, everything in Wal-Mart will cost a nickel and most Americans will not have a nickel because they will be unemployed.

I'd add the Walton family members have become some of the richest people in the world making sure the Chinese (and NOT Americans) have manufacturing jobs.

I guess the only silver lining is Wal-Mart might be the only place in America to get a job when it's all over.

[Joe Bfstplk]

In the long run, everything in Wal-Mart will cost a nickel and most Americans will not have a nickel because they will be unemployed.

The return of the five and dime... I remember when Kress, McCory's, Woolsworth's and Grant's were the center of downtown. (When "Made in Japan" were derrogatory words!)

[Eric in the Ozarks]

My folks and I lived in Japan when Made in Japan ment cheaply made junk. I remember prying open a little tin car Christmas present in the 1950s. It opened up to say Libby's Peas inside.

[Noumenon]

The inevitable failure of this dam will cripple the Chinese economy for decades to come. It will be a an economic, political and human disaster without precedent in China's history.

[Kenny Bunk]

Not to mention becoming one of the most splendid targets in the history of warfare.

[Dark Wing]

Set your count down clock, the 3 Gorges Dam is being filled.

[Quix]

Not sure what you're basing your predictions of failure on.

It has many problems, serious problems associated with it.

And the quakes could be a problem.

But I don't see it at all definite that it will fail.

Electricity for modernization and avoidance of flooding are powerful priorities for a nation trying to bring 1.2 billion people into the modern world.

I admire them for giving it a go amidst so much opposition though I deplore Li Peng's efforts at Tienanmen etc.

The potential rewards are enormous. The risks are not small.

I think it's a reasonable gamble.

The archeological and esthetic losses are huge. But so much electricity for so many hungry, impoverished citizens is no small thing to all those citizens.

[Quix]

I've had a deep conviction for more than a decade or 3 that Hoover dam will be destroyed by a quake or a nuke or some such in my lifetime.

I hope Lake Powell remains but we shall see.

I'd hate to see what would happen to the Grand Canyon if Lake Powell were breached.

But then there are those who predict that Phoenix will be a seaport and that the ocean will not be that far from Denver.

Certainly interesting times to be alive.