Case Study: Water Transfer in China
Geography: AQA GCSE, topic 6.3.6
China's South-North Water Transfer Scheme
The Chinese government is building the infrastructure to divert 44.8bn cubic metres of water from the south of China to the north of China annually.
Advantages of China's Water Transfer Scheme
- China does not have much water in the north of the country. Redirecting the water via the Grand Canal, the Han River, and the Yangtze River will move water from an area with a water surplus to an area with a water deficit.
- There should be fewer or no water shortages in the north of China (including the capital city Beijing).
- China's food production can become more efficient if its farmland gets better irrigation.
Disadvantages of China's Water Transfer Scheme
- By 2014, $79bn had been spent on the project. It was not yet finished and this was over the original budget.
- Over 330,000 people's homes have been destroyed by the project because of the flooding, dams, and canals.
- Some farmers have claimed that the Yangtze River's pollution was now flowing into local lakes.
- Animals' natural habitats and many ecosystems have been flooded.
Test yourself on Case Study: Water Transfer in China
What are the advantages of China's South-North water transfer scheme?
What are the disadvantages of China's South-North water transfer scheme?
Which of the following is true of China's water transfer scheme?
Which of the following cities doesn't benefit from China's $62bn water transfer scheme?