Famous Scholar Speaks on Three Gorges Project

Abstract

[evdate 1995-09-26] For Immediate Release 26 September 1995

Famous Scholar Speaks on Three Gorges Project

The world-renowned historian Professor Lyman I? Van Slyke will speak on "The Three Gorges Project or Let the Yangtze be Dammed" at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology on Wednesday, 27 September 1995. Last December, China's Premier Li Peng proclaimed that the construction of the Three Gorges Dam had officially begun. According to plan, the megadam will be completed by the year 2009. Unprecedented debates between the proponents and opponents of the Three Gorges Dam have been centered around the cost and benefit of the project, possible ecological dangers and pollution, technical feasibility and even human rights issues. Though the Chinese government brushed aside international criticism and announced the commencement of the construction, concern over the dam has not died away. Professor Van Slyke will share his view on the controversial construction which is based on a historical point of view. Professor Van Slyke is now Professor of History, Emeritus, at Stanford University, and executive secretary of the Inter-University Programme for Chinese Language Studies based in Taiwan. A distinguished scholar on modern Chinese history, Professor Van Slyke has written many influential publications, including "Enemies and Friends: The United Front in Chinese Communist History", "The China White Paper", and "Yangtze: Nature, History, and the River". The lecture, organised by HKUST's Division of Humanities, will be held at Room 3362 at 4:30 p.m. All interested parties are welcome. . ote to Ed- Direct enquiries to the Office of Public Affairs at 2358 6320 or pager 1163388 call 2652.