Restudy of Three Gorges Project

Why did Three Gorges Project need to be restudied?
According to the feasibility study report of 150-meter water level approved by the State Council and the annual plan by State Planning Commission, Ministry of Hydro Power started preparation work for Three Gorges Project.
In September, 1984, Chongking municipal government asked the State Council to raise the normal water level up to 180 meters, so that ships of 10,000 tons can go directly to Chongking Port. Ministry of Transportation had the same idea. Therefore, the State Council entrusted State Planning Commission to further study the water level for Three Gorges Project. At this time, various organizations and people domestic and abroad put forward their different opinions about whether to build the project or not, early start or late start, and construction plans. The Party Central and State Council thought highly of these opinions. In April, 1986, leaders from the Party Central and State Council investigated the project at site. In June, they issued a document, asking Ministry of Hydro Power to organize experts from various aspects to re-propose the feasibility study report of Three Gorges Project. Li Peng, Bo Yibo, Wang Renzhong and Chen Zihua were responsible for the coordination of the restudy.

How was the feasibility study carried out, and how many people were involved in it?
Ministry of Hydro Power set up a study and proof team with Minister Qian Zhengying as team leader. Lu Youmei, vice minister, Pan, Jiazheng, Chief Engineer, and other responsible people from related organizations were members of the team, altogether 13.
The team invited 21 advisors from various organizations, such as Finance and Economic Committee of the National People's Congress, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), State Planning Commission, State Science and Technology Commission, China Science and Technology Association, Research Centre to Advise on Economic, Technological and Social Development under the State Council, Economic Development Office of Three Gorges Area under the State Council, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Social Science Academy, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Mechanics and Electronics Industry, Ministry of Finance, Sichuan Province and Hubei Province.
Under the team, there are 14 subject teams with 412 experts from the State Council, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 28 high-education institutes, and 8 provinces. Of the 412 experts, 15 are department members of Chinese Academy of Sciences, over two dozens are CPPCC members, and 359 have high professional positions. They come from various aspects, such as natural science, engineering technology, social science, finance and economics, ecology and environment, system project and civil air defence project. 208 are from the hydro power circle (48.4%), and 214 are from outside this circle (51.7%).
They used present results, but were not confined to the conclusions. Different opinions and suggestions were kept.
The study of the Three Gorges Project is a huge systematic project to be considered at three levels: the drainage area, the regional, and the national. The experts first reviewed the fundamental materials of all subjects as the preliminary study. Based on the preliminary study, they selected a plan with accepted water level by all sides. Based on this plan, the experts carried on a deep study. All the experts signed on the subject reports to show their agreement. Those who did not agree did not have to sign. They attached an annex to the subject report. Of all the 14 subject reports, 9 were unanimously agreed by the experts, and altogether 9 experts did not sign on the rest 5 reports.
The experts also entrusted some high-education institutions, research organizations, engineering and construction organizations to do part of the study work. Over a thousand people participated in the work.

What was the final conclusion of the restudy of Three Gorges Project?
In February, 1989, Three Gorges study and proof team had the tenth session. They reviewed and passed the new feasibility study report. In September, CWRC made corrections and complements of the report, and submitted it, together with 14 subject reports and 9 experts' different opinions, to Three Gorges Project Review Committee under the State Council.
According to the new feasibility study report of Three Gorges Project, the conclusion is: The Three Gorges Project is necessary for the construction of modernization. It is possible in technology, and is reasonable in economy. It is beneficial to start the project early.