Case Study: China’s South-North Transfer Project

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

Project began in 2003 and involves building 3 canals to run across the eastern, middle and western
parts of China and link the country’s 4 main rivers.

Question 2

Benefits

Answer 2

 Transfer 44.8 billion m3 per year
 Central government to pay 60% of the cost
 Water conservation, improved irrigation,
pollution treatment and environmental project
 Will supply big cities like Beijing

Question 3

Costs

Answer 3

 Significant ecological and environmental
impacts along the waterways
 Resettlement of people will be needed
 Declining water quality
 Will cost $62 billion
 Will take 50 years to complete