From The Three Girges Probs:
Beijing’s decision to give 22 million farmers who have been displaced by dams a 600-yuan (US$75) annual subsidy for 20 years is seen by journalist Dai Qing as official acknowledgement of the high social cost of such projects, and of the simmering rural discontent they have caused.
“Problems linked to dam-related resettlement have been accumulating for half a century and have reached a point at which social unrest could erupt at any moment,” Ms. Dai said. “So it’s not a bad thing that the authorities have recognized this reality and are trying to do something about it.” [Full Text]
