China resettles 15M residents for 80,000 reservoir projects since 1949

China has relocated a total of 15 million residents for about 80,000 reservoir projects it has built during the past five decades since 1949, said Wang Shucheng, minister of Water Conservancy.

The minister said China has properly handled the resettlement issues due to the efforts by the Chinese government and the country's actual conditions.

Unlike other countries, most reservoirs in China are located inpoor mountainous areas, making the resettlement and construction much easier and cheaper, he explained.

Resettlement for reservoir projects has created opportunities for local residents to get rid of poverty, said the minister.

China began to help resettled residents find jobs through funding for industrial and agricultural projects after 1978. It used to offer relief or compensation package to relocated residents.

China has invited officials from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank to inspect the relocation programs of residents for reservoir construction projects.

Citing as an example, the minister said China set up special organization in charge of the resettlement of 1.1 million residents in Three Gorges Reservoir areas, who have been relocatedto make way for the world's biggest Three Gorges dam project underconstruction.

China earmarked about 40 billion yuan (4.87 billion US dollars)in early 1990s, for resettle the residents to make way for the Three Gorges dam project.

China helped thousands of poor residents who chose to relocate from Three Gorges reservoir areas to rich areas, such as Shanghai,where they have been provided houses and jobs.