China considers environmental impacts in overseas dam-building projects: spokesman

China considers environmental impacts in overseas dam-building projects:
spokesman
2011-04-21

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-04/21/c_13839858.htm

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China said Thursday that it takes into
consideration people's livelihoods and possible environmental
degradation when building dams abroad.

"When participating in water and hydroelectric projects as requested by
related countries, China is highly concerned with local people's
livelihoods and places importance to the possible environmental
impacts," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei at a regular news
briefing.

Hong's remarks came in response to latest reports that China's
involvement in dam construction schemes in some countries risk sparking
local opposition, or even violence due to lack of transparency and
ignoring local residents' concerns.

Water and hydroelectric projects contribute to long-term development of
developing nation's economies and are very important to them, Hong said.

Those projects China is involved in are built according to strict
environmental standards and China has also demanded its companies abide
by laws and regulations in host countries, said Hong.

"Some projects have played an important and active role in helping
develop the local economy and improving people's lives," said the
spokesman, vowing to continue cooperation with foreign countries on
environmental protection projects to benefit their local economies.

--

Full reference:

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei's Regular Press Conference on
April 21, 2011 (http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xwfw/s2510/2511/t817824.htm)

On the afternoon of April 21, 2011, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong
Lei held a regular press conference.

QUESTION: Some environmentalists said recently that Chinese enterprises
met with opposition due to lack of information transparency and
indifference to local residents' desire of environmental protection
while taking part in dam projects overseas. What is China's comment?

ANSWER: Water conservancy and hydropower are infrastructure projects of
wide concern to developing countries, bearing on long-term development
of their national economies. When cooperating with relevant countries on
water conservancy and hydropower projects at their request, paying high
attention to local residents' welfare as well as possible environmental
impact, China adopts strict environmental protection standards and
requires that the Chinese enterprises abide by local laws and
regulations. Relevant projects have played an important and positive
role in promoting local economic development and improving people's
well-being. China will strengthen cooperation and exchanges with
relevant countries in the field of environmental protection and play a
positive role in facilitating sustainable development of local economy
and society.
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