China struggles to find economic and ecological balance along Yangtze
Yangtze belt development plan has good intentions but few feasible policies, analysts say
Mainland authorities have published a much-delayed state plan for areas along the Yangtze River, reflecting Beijing’s struggle to balance the ecology and economy along the country’s longest river.
The 6,300km Yangtze and the area it passes through has suffered serious environmental degradation in recent years from huge dams disrupting flows, overuse of water resources, species extinction, and the dumping of waste into the waterway.
That’s on top of the many chemical and industrial complexes that line its banks.
Despite good intentions, the Development Plan for the Yangtze Economic Belt, published last week, offered few viable action plans to address the daunting problems, analysts said.
For example, the plan the river’s role as a “golden waterway” even though water transport of goods is already an outdated choice for most businesses.