ABSTRACT
This chapter gives a brief introduction to the Three Gorges project in general in order to provide a necessary background for the resettlement discussion. The Three Gorges project is unique both in China and the world due to its great size. The purposes of the project are, power generation, flood control and improvement of navigational facilities. Flood control still plays an important role in Chinese lives today. Due to the serious recurrent flood problems, improving the flood control system in the Yangtze River is one of the main purposes for constructing a dam in the Three Gorges. Navigation on the Yangtze River, including the Three Gorges, has always been dangerous due to shoals and currents in the river. The chapter focuses on a few institutional and individual actors that are deemed important for the resettlement and environmental policymaking for the Three Gorges project.
