China struggles to satisfy thirst for water
John Hill/Jane's 03.Aug.04
China is facing increasing shortfalls in the water resources it needs to sustain economic growth. Despite infrastructure projects to address the problem, the consequences of the shortages are already being felt internationally.
The growing scarcity of water resources is becoming so critical to China's economic well-being that minister of water resources Wang Shucheng admitted in March that the issue is now "challenging national security".
China's phenomenal economic growth is largely responsible for the emerging crisis and questions are already being asked about whether the current pace of development can be sustained. Wu Xiaoling, the Vice-Governor of China's central bank, the People's Bank of China, said in April 2004 that "if measured by the sustainability against the availability of resources", then China's economy is already overheated. He noted that none of the nation's energy, water and land resources can support the current rate of growth. For Chinese leaders, the fear is that an economic downturn could lead to social unrest.
John Hill/Jane's 03.Aug.04
China is facing increasing shortfalls in the water resources it needs to sustain economic growth. Despite infrastructure projects to address the problem, the consequences of the shortages are already being felt internationally.
The growing scarcity of water resources is becoming so critical to China's economic well-being that minister of water resources Wang Shucheng admitted in March that the issue is now "challenging national security".
China's phenomenal economic growth is largely responsible for the emerging crisis and questions are already being asked about whether the current pace of development can be sustained. Wu Xiaoling, the Vice-Governor of China's central bank, the People's Bank of China, said in April 2004 that "if measured by the sustainability against the availability of resources", then China's economy is already overheated. He noted that none of the nation's energy, water and land resources can support the current rate of growth. For Chinese leaders, the fear is that an economic downturn could lead to social unrest.
