Case Study: Water Transfer in China

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.

Illustrative background for Advantages of China's Water Transfer Scheme

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.

Illustrative background for Disadvantages of China's Water Transfer Scheme

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.

1 The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1 Natural Hazards

1.1.1 Types of Natural Hazards

1.1.2 Hazard Risk

1.1.3 Consequences of Natural Hazards

1.1.4 End of Topic Test - Natural Hazards

1.1.5 Exam-Style Questions - Natural Hazards

1.2 Tectonic Hazards

1.2.1 Tectonic Plates

1.2.2 Tectonic Plates & Convection Currents

1.2.3 Plate Margins

1.2.4 Volcanoes

1.2.5 Effects of Volcanoes

1.2.6 Responses to Volcanic Eruptions

1.2.7 Earthquakes

1.2.8 Earthquakes 2

1.2.9 Responses to Earthquakes

1.2.10 Case Studies: The L'Aquila & Kashmir Earthquakes

1.2.11 Earthquake Case Study: Chile 2010

1.2.12 Earthquake Case Study: Nepal 2015

1.2.13 Living with Tectonic Hazards 1

1.2.14 Living with Tectonic Hazards 2

1.2.15 End of Topic Test - Tectonic Hazards

1.2.16 Exam-Style Questions - Tectonic Hazards

1.2.17 Tectonic Hazards - Statistical Skills

1.3 Weather Hazards

1.3.1 Global Atmospheric Circulation

1.3.2 Surface Winds

1.3.3 UK Weather Hazards

1.3.4 Tropical Storms

1.3.5 Features of Tropical Storms

1.3.6 Impact of Tropical Storms 1

1.3.7 Impact of Tropical Storms 2

1.3.8 Tropical Storms Case Study: Katrina

1.3.9 Tropical Storms Case Study: Haiyan

1.3.10 UK Weather Hazards Case Study: Somerset 2014

1.3.11 End of Topic Test - Weather Hazards

1.3.12 Exam-Style Questions - Weather Hazards

1.3.13 Weather Hazards - Statistical Skills

1.4 Climate Change

1.4.1 Evidence for Climate Change

1.4.2 Causes of Climate Change

1.4.3 Effects of Climate Change

1.4.4 Managing Climate Change

1.4.5 End of Topic Test - Climate Change

1.4.6 Exam-Style Questions - Climate Change

1.4.7 Climate Change - Statistical Skills

2 The Living World

2.1 Ecosystems

2.1.1 Ecosystems

2.1.2 Ecosystem Cascades & Global Ecosystems

2.1.3 Ecosystem Case Study: Freshwater Ponds

2.2 Tropical Rainforests

2.2.1 Tropical Rainforests - Intro & Interdependence

2.2.2 Adaptations

2.2.3 Biodiversity of Tropical Rainforests

2.2.4 Deforestation

2.2.5 Case Study: Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest

2.2.6 Sustainable Management of Rainforests

2.2.7 Case Study: Malaysian Rainforest

2.2.8 End of Topic Test - Tropical Rainforests

2.2.9 Exam-Style Questions - Tropical Rainforests

2.2.10 Deforestation - Statistical Skills

2.3 Hot Deserts

2.3.1 Overview of Hot Deserts

2.3.2 Biodiversity & Adaptation to Hot Deserts

2.3.3 Case Study: Sahara Desert

2.3.4 Desertification

2.3.5 Case Study: Thar Desert

2.3.6 End of Topic Test - Hot Deserts

2.3.7 Exam-Style Questions - Hot Deserts

2.4 Tundra & Polar Environments

2.4.1 Overview of Cold Environments

2.4.2 Adaptations in Cold Environments

2.4.3 Biodiversity in Cold Environments

2.4.4 Case Study: Alaska

2.4.5 Sustainable Management

2.4.6 Case Study: Svalbard

2.4.7 End of Topic Test - Tundra & Polar Environments

2.4.8 Exam-Style Questions - Cold Environments

3 Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1 The UK Physical Landscape

3.1.1 The UK Physical Landscape

3.2 Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.2.1 Types of Wave

3.2.2 Weathering & Mass Movement

3.2.3 Processes of Erosion & Wave-Cut Platforms

3.2.4 Headlands, Bays, Caves, Arches & Stacks

3.2.5 Transportation

3.2.6 Deposition

3.2.7 Spits, Bars & Sand Dunes

3.2.8 Case Study: Landforms on the Dorset Coast

3.2.9 Types of Coastal Management 1

3.2.10 Types of Coastal Management 2

3.2.11 Coastal Management Case Study - Holderness

3.2.12 Coastal Management Case Study: Swanage

3.2.13 Coastal Management Case Study - Lyme Regis

3.2.14 End of Topic Test - Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.2.15 Exam-Style Questions - Coasts

3.3 River Landscapes in the UK

3.3.1 The River Valley

3.3.2 River Valley Case Study - River Tees

3.3.3 Erosion

3.3.4 Transportation & Deposition

3.3.5 Waterfalls, Gorges & Interlocking Spurs

3.3.6 Meanders & Oxbow Lakes

3.3.7 Floodplains & Levees

3.3.8 Estuaries

3.3.9 Case Study: The River Clyde

3.3.10 River Management

3.3.11 Hard & Soft Flood Defences

3.3.12 River Management Case Study - Boscastle

3.3.13 River Management Case Study - Banbury

3.3.14 End of Topic Test - River Landscapes in the UK

3.3.15 Exam-Style Questions - Rivers

3.4 Glacial Landscapes in the UK

3.4.1 Erosion

3.4.2 Landforms Caused by Erosion

3.4.3 Landforms Caused by Transportation & Deposition

3.4.4 Snowdonia

3.4.5 Land Use in Glaciated Areas

3.4.6 Tourism in Glacial Landscapes

3.4.7 Case Study - Lake District

3.4.8 End of Topic Test - Glacial Landscapes in the UK

3.4.9 Exam-Style Questions - Glacial Landscapes

4 Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1 Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1.1 Urbanisation

4.1.2 Urbanisation Case Study: Lagos

4.1.3 Urbanisation Case Study: Rio de Janeiro

4.1.4 UK Cities

4.1.5 Case Study: Urban Regen Projects - Manchester

4.1.6 Case Study: Urban Change in Liverpool

4.1.7 Case Study: Urban Change in Bristol

4.1.8 Sustainable Urban Life

4.1.9 End of Topic Test - Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1.10 Exam-Style Questions - Urban Issues & Challenges

4.1.11 Urban Issues -Statistical Skills

5 The Changing Economic World

5.1 The Changing Economic World

5.1.1 Measuring Development

5.1.2 Classifying Countries Based on Wealth

5.1.3 The Demographic Transition Model

5.1.4 Physical & Historical Causes of Uneven Development

5.1.5 Economic Causes of Uneven Development

5.1.6 How Can We Reduce the Global Development Gap?

5.1.7 Case Study: Tourism in Kenya

5.1.8 Case Study: Tourism in Jamaica

5.1.9 Case Study: Economic Development in India

5.1.10 Case Study: Aid & Development in India

5.1.11 Case Study: Economic Development in Nigeria

5.1.12 Case Study: Aid & Development in Nigeria

5.1.13 Economic Development in the UK

5.1.14 Economic Development UK: Industry & Rural

5.1.15 Economic Development UK: Transport & North-South

5.1.16 Economic Development UK: Regional & Global

5.1.17 End of Topic Test - The Changing Economic World

5.1.18 Exam-Style Questions - The Changing Economic World

5.1.19 Changing Economic World - Statistical Skills

6 The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1 Resource Management

6.1.1 Global Distribution of Resources

6.1.2 Food in the UK

6.1.3 Water in the UK 1

6.1.4 Water in the UK 2

6.1.5 Energy in the UK

6.1.6 Resource Management - Statistical Skills

6.2.1 Areas of Food Surplus & Food Deficit

6.2.2 Food Supply & Food Insecurity

6.2.3 Increasing Food Supply

6.2.4 Case Study: Thanet Earth

6.2.5 Creating a Sustainable Food Supply

6.2.6 Case Study: Agroforestry in Mali

6.2.7 End of Topic Test - Food

6.2.8 Exam-Style Questions - Food

6.2.9 Food - Statistical Skills

6.3.1 The Global Demand for Water

6.3.2 What Affects the Availability of Water?

6.3.3 Increasing Water Supplies

6.3.4 Case Study: Water Transfer in China

6.3.5 Sustainable Water Supply

6.3.6 Case Study: Kenya's Sand Dams

6.3.7 Case Study: Lesotho Highland Water Project

6.3.8 Case Study: Wakel River Basin Project

6.3.9 Exam-Style Questions - Water

6.3.10 Water - Statistical Skills

6.4.1 Global Demand for Energy

6.4.2 Factors Affecting Energy Supply

6.4.3 Increasing Energy Supply: Renewables

6.4.4 Increasing Energy Supply: Non-Renewables

6.4.5 Carbon Footprints & Energy Conservation

6.4.6 Case Study: Rice Husks in Bihar

6.4.7 Exam-Style Questions - Energy

6.4.8 Energy - Statistical Skills

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Increasing Water Supplies

Sustainable Water Supply

Water Transfer - SNWTP

The South to North Water Transfer Project (SNWTP), China

SNWTP

The South to North Water Transfer project is an example of a large-scale water transfer scheme. It is one of the largest engineering projects ever undertaken and has both advantages and disadvantages.

Why is water transfer needed? The Chinese government is currently building a $62 billion South-North Water Transfer Project. The aims of the project are to divert 44.8 billion cubic meters of water per year from the Yangtze River in southern China to the Yellow River Basin in arid northern China. This will move water from humid areas where water supply is sufficient, to drier areas where demand exceeds supply.

The reason the water is needed is because much of China’s economic growth has occurred in the north on the North China Plain around the cities of Tianjin and Beijing. There are 600million people in the North China Plain working in heavy industries that need water and reliant upon agriculture that needs water for irrigation. Northern China has long been a centre of population, industry and agriculture and with all three growing quickly, the regions limited  water resources are under pressure.

In Beijing, groundwater is the main water source ( two thirds of all water comes from groundwater in Beijing) for everything from industrial and agricultural use to household consumption. It is estimated that the capital requires 3.5 billion litres of water per year. As the water is taken from the soil, the now-dried up soil compacts. As a result Beijing is sinking on average 5cm a year! ( source )

Water Stress in China

Water Stress and the SNWTP

What does the scheme involve? The SNWTP China is the largest water diversion/transfer project ever undertaken. It has already taken 50 years to plan and begin construction, and won’t be finished until 2050. It was first thought of in 1952

When finished, the work will link China's four main rivers – the Yangtze, Yellow River, Huaihe and Haihe – and requires the construction of three diversion routes, stretching south-to-north across the eastern, central and western parts of the country. Eastern route of water diversion project This diversion will be slightly over 1,155km long and was completed in 2013. It provides water from the Yangtze river to Shandong Province and other areas to be used for domestic and industrial use.

Central Route The central route diverts water from the Danjiangkou reservoir on the Han River via new canals to flow through Henan and Hebei Provinces to Beijing – a diversion route totalling some 1,267km in length. It opened in 2014 after delays and the building of the dam at Danjiangkou displaced 300,000 people.  Wildlife and farming practises have been disturbed by the central route.

Western route Construction of the western route involves working on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau between 3,000m–5,000m above sea level is in the planning stages and will involve overcoming some major engineering and climatic challenges. Once completed in 2050, the project will bring 4 billion cubic metres of water from three tributaries of the Yangtze nearly 500km across the Bayankala Mountains and then on to northwest China. This will have huge financial and environmental costs. In addition, the proposed route is in an earthquake zone which poses even more problems.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the project?

The complete project is expected to cost $62bn, an astronomical cost and more than twice as much as the country's controversial Three Gorges Dam.  It will also displace hundreds of thousands of people. An estimated 330,000 people were recently being relocated for the expansion of the Danjiangkou reservoir and carried out against the resistance of affected people.

An advantage is that it should stop the over-withdrawal of groundwater and supply more water to industry, cities, and China's breadbasket in the north. This may stop the subsidence experienced in Beijing because of over abstraction of ground water. The project should also help with helping China cope with climate change, water pollution, and frequent droughts. These all exert huge pressure on major northern cities such as Beijing and Tianjin. The project will move almost 45billion cubic metres of water to help industry and farming in the north.

One issue is that recent droughts in the SOUTH have shown that at times Central China has no excess water that could be transferred to the thirsty North. In the spring of 2011, water levels in the Han River and Danjiangkou reservoir fell so low that people did not have sufficient water for drinking and sowing their crops let alone for sending to Beijing.

There are also concerns that the project could make water pollution problems worse. Pollution from factories along the Eastern Route may make the water unfit to drink. Some experts argue that conservation and increasing water use efficiency can help mitigate China's water problems without jeopardizing the environment displacing large population groups. The Chinese government has put in place around 260 projects to reduce pollution and help ensure that water in the areas of the diversion project will meet minimum drinking standards. These projects have cost $2billion!

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Case Study: The Three Gorges Dam

The 3 Gorges Dam project - China

  • This is an example of a large scale development project designed to:
  • Create more jobs
  •  Allow large ships to navigate the river and reach Chungong Create thousands of jobs Develop new towns and farms
  • Provide 10% of China’s electricity through HEP Increase tourism along the river
  • Protect precious farmland from flooding
  • However it also has a number of disadvantages:
  • Over 150 towns and 4500 thousand villages will be flooded displacing people from their homes
  • 1.3 million people will be forced to move
  • The river landscape will be forever changed
  •  The lake which will be created could become very polluted from industrial waste

This video showcases the Chinese Three Gorges Dam Project

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Water transfer - Case study: China south-north water transfer project

  • Electronics

3.7 River management

5.1 world population.

  • This is a 50 year project to transfer water from the south of China to the north
  • The project uses 3 canal systems to divert water from the Yangtze river in the south to the more arid & industrial north
  • It ultimately aims to transfer 44.8 billion m 3 of water per year
  • It had an initial budget of $62 billion but costs have now risen to $80 billion
  • The north contains 40% of the population but only 4% of the country’s water
  • The north gets a mean annual precipitation of less than 100 mm, facing droughts, whereas the south gets over 1000 mm, causing floods
  • Water shortages cost $39 billion a year in lost crops and reduced industrial output
  • Increasing food and water shortages threatens falling living standards, industrial decline and growing poverty
  • The north has rich mineral & land resources with growing industrial cities, and the shortage of water is becoming a restrictive factor
  • Over 350 thousand people have been displaced
  • This could cause the water to be polluted: for example, fishers on the Yangtze river have complained that pollution was killing the fish
  • Water conservation and agricultural improvements may have been better
  • It is intensifying, if not causing an economic drought

GCSE Geography

Monday 6 june 2016, china case study.

  • During 1985-2005, around 20-25% of high tech manufacturing was produced in the EU. Below 5% of high tech manufacturing was produced in China between 1985-2001. China then started to grow and 5-11% was produced during 2001-2005. 
  • 60% of the world's bicycles are produced in China
  • 72% of the world's shoes are produced in China
  • In 2013 China overtook the USA to generate the world's largest industrial output. 
  • China is the world's largest exporter
  • In 1977 Deng Xiaoping sought foreign investment to help end China's isolation land stimulate economic growth. 
  • Between 1980 and 1994 Special Economic Zones were set up to encourage businesses into China. They often had advanced factories set up in the zones and tax incentives such as reduced tax rates were used to attract more businesses. 
  • The One Child Policy , which was introduced in 1979, meant that the population level was much lower than it would have been and people's desires changed. There was an increased demand for electrical household goods, air conditioning, cars and computers. 
  • China's large and increasingly wealthy population (per capita income in urban households was about £600 in 2001, having rise to just below £200 in 1993 ) offer much potential, as do other asian pacific areas. China's urban population is around 500 million people. 
  • Increasing numbers of people with more money means they can buy more things. This creates a greater demand for chinese products, the the industry produces more as a result. 
  • China's massive home market will continue to grow.
  • The 2008 olympics were held in Beijing . This provided China the perfect opportunity to showcase the nation.
  • The opening ceremony, based on the theme 'One world, One dream ' was important in an attempt to convey China as an open, friendly country and important, integrated, positive part of the world in the 21st century.
  • The prestige of hosting the games and the image portrayed was immensely important in stimulating further foreign investment. 
  • Industrial development on a large scale demands large resources of energy. China currently generates two thirds of its electricity at coal fired power stations. 
  • Many new plants are being built.
  • Hydroelectric power accounted for 7% of electricity in 2006 . China produces more HEP than any other country in the world and is keen to develop new sources of energy. 
  • The Three Gorges Dam - biggest dam in the world,  generating 22,500 M W when fully operational. 
  • Cheap labour is a key reason why the economy has been thriving. Wages are 95% lower than in the USA. This means TNC's will have lower costs and therefore greater profits, which makes China a more attractive place to locate a factory in. 

gcse geography china case study

Vona Consulting was established in New York, internationally operated with three offices in China. china manufacturing

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Shenzhen – China’s most successful megacity?

In 2020 there were 34 megacities in the world. Focusing on Shenzhen in south-east China, this unit on urbanisation will help you understand the human processes leading to the city’s growth and the development of its urban landscapes and economy. It also looks at how Shenzhen has rebranded itself as a city for the future and how successful it has been in managing change.

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Change in Manufacturing Location and the New Industrial Giant

  • Globalisation
  • Created by: Né M
  • Created on: 14-06-12 15:09

China - the 'industrial giant'

In 30 years, China has transformed from being a mainly agricultural economy to being a strong manufacturing economy

  • Now, it has the third largest economy in the world (after the USA and Japan)
  • In 1978, 30% of China's GDP came from agriculture, however by 2004, agriculture only accounted for less than 15%
  • The number of products manufactured in China has rapidly increased - 4000 colour TVs were manufactured in China in 1978 - 75 million were produced in 2004 
  • China produces 60% of the world's bicycles and 50% of the world's shoes

Reasons for Growth in Manufacturing (I)

Government Legislation:

  • Foreign investment was encouraged, while the government kept control of the economy, meaning China would gain maximum profit
  • China set up many Special Economic Zones to encourage for foreign investment -These offered tax incentives to foreign businesses
  • Open cities were established (e.g. Shanghai ) - encouraging further foreign investment

The One Child Policy/The Home Market

  • The One Child Policy which was introduced in 1979 means that the population is much lower than it would have been (400million less) 
  • The policy also meant that people's desires changed  -there was an increased demand for electrical equipment and other goods 
  • As the population is becoming increasing wealthy it means that the home market is increasing

Reasons for Growth in Manufacturing (II)

The Olympics factor:

  • The 2008 Olympic Games were held in China  -this gave the country a chance to showcase itself to the rest of the world 
  • It portrayed China as being an open, friendly country
  • This was important in stimulating more foreign investment

The Three Gorges Dam:

  • Industry requires large resources of energy
  • Two-thirds of the electricity is formed at coal power stations
  • The Three Gorges Dam is the largest in the world - generating 22,500mW -This accounts for 7% of China's electricity
  • The Dam has led to a lot of development 

Reasons for Growth in Manufacturing (III)

Cheap Labour:

  • There's no overall minimum wage - it varies in different places
  • In Beijing the minimum wage is £70 a month - which is very cheap -in the UK, the minimum wage is £990 a month
  • The wages are around 95% lower than in the USA

Long Working hours:

  • Chinese law state that people can only work 40 hours per week with a maximum of 36 hours of overtime per month - these laws are often not enforced

Lax Health and Safety Regulations:

  • Even the health and safety laws in China are similar to other countries, they are not heavily enforced

Prohibition of strikes - strikes are permitted however, the trade union should get people back to work as soon as possible

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China water transfer project case study

China water transfer project case study

Subject: Geography

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Michael Partridge

Last updated

4 February 2020

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A comprehensive one page case study of a China water transfer project from the south to the north. Perfect for any specification, but written specifically for the AQA GCSE 9-1 course.

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Internet Geography

Managing the Mekong River – A transboundary water issue

Educas GCSE Geography > Case Studies > Managing the Mekong River – A transboundary water issue

The Mekong River, located in southeast Asia, is the twelfth longest river in the world. Six countries share the river and its tributaries. The source of the river is in China. The river flows southeast to its mouth in the South China Sea in Vietnam. The boundary of the river basin is shown in the map below.

The Mekong River has traditionally experienced seasonal changes in discharge. During the monsoon season, extensive flooding has occurred along the course of the river. Outside of the monsoon season, the region has experienced significant droughts.

A map to show the Mekong River

The Mekong River

What are the impacts of building dams on the Mekon River in China?

The Xiaowan Dam on The Mekong River in China

The Xiaowan Dam on The Mekong River in China

Along the course of the River Mekong, each country relies on the river for water supply and food. For example, in Cambodia, fishermen catch around 2 million tonnes of fish a year. Also, flooding during the monsoon season deposits fertile sediment onto the flood plain , which supports 80% of rice production, which depends on these floods. However, constructing dams along the river in China has interfered with the river’s flow, leading to reduced flooding and lower fish stocks. Additionally, the reduced flow of the river has led to sediment banks forming downstream, which has led to larger boats, such as ferries, running aground.

The effects of dam-building projects in China include:

  • Land has been flooded to form reservoirs behind dams, leading to the loss of land farmland and the displacement of people (over 200,000 had to be moved when the Xayaburi Dam in Laos was being built between 2010-2019);
  • In September 2015, heavy monsoon rain led to dangerously high water levels behind a Chinese-built HEP Nuozhadu Damdam. Water was released to avoid the collapse of the dam, leading to homes being flooded, affecting 1,571 families;
  • Cheap hydro-electric power has supported the growth of China’s economy;
  • More people and industry have a safe and reliable water supply;
  • Water supply is available throughout the year in areas that previously suffered from seasonal drought;
  • Jobs in construction and hydroelectric power have provided opportunities for people in China.

The effects of dam-building projects in the lower river basin (Cambodia) include:

  • Reduced water levels and river velocity cause increased deposition , which has led to the formation of sandbanks that impede navigation;
  • Fish stocks have been reduced, leading to a drop in income for fishermen;
  • Monsoon floods are much smaller, meaning less sediment is deposited, reducing the fertility of valuable agricultural land used for rice farming;
  • In 2019, fishermen in the Lower Mekon Basin blamed the combination of low monsoon rainfall and the opening of the Xayburi dam on its most severe drought in 100 years;
  • Dams are evening the river’s flow, reducing the flood’s size. This harms fishing as the seasonal rise and fall in the river flow is required to spread out fish into lakes and ponds on the flood plain where they are caught.

Sand bars and islands on the Mekong River in Cambodia formed by deposition due to reduced discharge

Sand bars and islands on the Mekong River in Cambodia formed by deposition due to reduced discharge.

Dams on international rivers, like the Mekong, can create conflict between the countries dependent on the water. Constructing a dam upstream alters the flow downstream. As more water is used in China, less arrives in Cambodia, risking the rice harvest.

What strategies are being used in Cambodia to reduce flood and drought impact?

The Cambodian government is considering a range of options to reduce the risk of flooding and drought:

  • Collecting flood data and issuing forecasts through a flood control centre
  • Risk assessing flooding in each community
  • Providing advice to communities on how to protect households from flooding
  • Constructing defences such as flood walls and embankments
  • Building dams to control the flow of water
  • Improving planning so homes are not constructed on floodplains
  • Coordinating with neighbouring countries about the management of the river
  • Run an annual flood conference with neighbouring countries
  • Support neighbouring countries with aid during extreme events

Geography and Seasonal Patterns

The Mekong River, the twelfth longest in the world, flows through six Southeast Asian countries, from China to the South China Sea in Vietnam. It experiences seasonal changes, with monsoon-induced flooding and significant droughts outside the monsoon season.

Impact of Dams in China

Dam construction on the Mekong in China has reduced flooding and lowered fish stocks in downstream countries. Over 200,000 people were displaced due to the Xayaburi Dam in Laos, and water released from a Chinese dam in 2015 flooded homes, affecting 1,571 families.

Economic and Environmental Consequences

The dams have supported China’s economic growth and provided reliable water supply and hydroelectric jobs. However, they have caused land loss, sediment buildup, impeded navigation, and decreased fish stocks, affecting agriculture and fishing in Cambodia.

Reduced Fertility and Navigation Issues

In the lower Mekong basin, reduced water levels have led to sediment accumulation and the formation of sandbanks, hampering navigation. The decrease in monsoon floods has also reduced agricultural land fertility, which is crucial for rice farming.

Transboundary Conflicts

Dam construction alters the river flow, leading to conflicts between countries. As China uses more water, downstream countries like Cambodia face risks to their rice harvests due to reduced water flow.

Flood and Drought Management in Cambodia

Cambodia is adopting strategies to mitigate flood and drought impacts, including flood data collection, community risk assessments, construction of defences, improved planning, and international cooperation with neighbouring countries.

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IMAGES

  1. Case study 1: China

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  2. AQA GCSE Geography- China SNWTP Case Study

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  3. China's One Child Policy

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  4. Plate Tectonics Case Study

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  5. hep china case study igcse geography 2022

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  6. GCSE AQA Geography Case Study Cheat Sheet

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VIDEO

  1. GCSE Geography Revision

  2. Amazing Place in CHINA

  3. International Trade Geography GCSE Question

  4. CHINA Case Study

  5. Political Science & International Relations(PSIR)|Comparative Politics|India-China Case study

  6. Why China Geography Remains a Threat to China itself.#shortvideo #geography #china

COMMENTS

  1. Case study 1: China

    With a population of 1.37 billion people (set 2016; source CIA World Facebook), China remains the world's most populous country. The growth rate in 2017 was estimated by the UN to be 0.43%, significantly lower than a world average of approximately 1.11% pa. The removal of the One Child Policy in 2016 may lead to an increase in this rate of ...

  2. Case Study: China

    Case Study: China. The Chinese government introduced the 'One Child Policy' in 1979. The aim of this policy was to attempt to control population growth. The policy limited couples to one child. Under this policy couples have to gain permission from family planning officials for each birth. If families followed this policy they received free ...

  3. China's One Child Policy

    The one-child policy was introduced in 1979. It said that: Couples must not marry until their late 20s. Most have only one successful pregnancy. Must be sterilised after the first child or abort any future pregnancies. Would receive a 5-10% salary rise for limiting their family to one child. The punishments for disobeying the rules were:

  4. Case Study of the Development of an Emerging Country

    Revision notes on 2.2.1 Case Study of the Development of an Emerging Country for the Edexcel GCSE Geography: B (1GB0) syllabus, written by the Geography experts at Save My Exams.

  5. Case Study: Water Transfer in China

    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. ... A Level Physics Revision A Level Psychology Revision A Level Business Revision A Level Sociology Revision A Level Political Studies Revision. KS3. KS3 Science Revision KS3 ... GCSE Geography ...

  6. Coolgeography

    The SNWTP China is the largest water diversion/transfer project ever undertaken. It has already taken 50 years to plan and begin construction, and won't be finished until 2050. It was first thought of in 1952. When finished, the work will link China's four main rivers - the Yangtze, Yellow River, Huaihe and Haihe - and requires the ...

  7. Case Study: The Three Gorges Dam

    The 3 Gorges Dam project - China. This is an example of a large scale development project designed to: Create more jobs. Allow large ships to navigate the river and reach Chungong Create thousands of jobs Develop new towns and farms. Provide 10% of China's electricity through HEP Increase tourism along the river.

  8. 3.8 Water transfer

    Overview. This is a 50 year project to transfer water from the south of China to the north. The project uses 3 canal systems to divert water from the Yangtze river in the south to the more arid & industrial north. It ultimately aims to transfer 44.8 billion m 3 of water per year. It had an initial budget of $62 billion but costs have now risen ...

  9. Introduction to China

    Life expectancy and literacy rates. China is the most. populous. country in the world, with approximately 1.4 billion people. Around 18 per cent of the world's total population live in China ...

  10. GCSE Geography: China Case Study

    China Case Study. Whilst parts of Europe have experienced deindustrialisation, China has seen a significant growth. China has now been dubbed 'the new workshop of the world' a phrase that was first used to describe Britain during the 19th century. During 1985-2005, around 20-25% of high tech manufacturing was produced in the EU.

  11. PDF AQA GCSE Geography Complete Case Study and Example Booklet

    The average semi detached house price in Anfield is£101,000 and in Woolton it is £230,000. Anfield and Toxteth are among the most deprived areas in England. achieve lower exam results. The proportion of students achieving 5 A*-C GCSEs in Woolton is 75% and in Anfield is only 54%. Economic - Housing Inequalities.

  12. IGCSE Geography 3.5 (Energy) Case study energy supply in China

    Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like what was China's main source of energy in 2012 ?, why did China stop exporting and start importing ?, what did China do to maintain energy security ? and more. ... Geography GCSE: The Sahara Desert case study. 10 terms. carabuzz. Preview. Economics page 48-77 revision. 45 terms ...

  13. China's most successful megacity?

    In 2020 there were 34 megacities in the world. Focusing on Shenzhen in south-east China, this unit on urbanisation will help you understand the human processes leading to the city's growth and the development of its urban landscapes and economy. It also looks at how Shenzhen has rebranded itself as a city for the future and how successful it ...

  14. China's One Child Policy

    AQA GCSE Geography Case Studies x5. AQA GCSE geography case studies on BedZED, One Child Policy, Hulme, Hurricane Mitch and The Alps. Individually priced at £2 - totalling £10, however just £6 for all five of these resources in this bundle! was £6.00. Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions.

  15. AQA GCSE Geography- China SNWTP Case Study

    AQA GCSE Geography- China SNWTP Case Study. Subject: Geography. Age range: 14-16. Resource type: Assessment and revision. STEMentoria. Last updated. 19 September 2023. Share this. Share through email; Share through twitter; Share through linkedin; Share through facebook; Share through pinterest; File previews.

  16. China Case Study

    Now, it has the third largest economy in the world (after the USA and Japan) In 1978, 30% of China's GDP came from agriculture, however by 2004, agriculture only accounted for less than 15%. The number of products manufactured in China has rapidly increased. - 4000 colour TVs were manufactured in China in 1978. - 75 million were produced in 2004.

  17. LEDC Case Study

    The Earthquake. On the 12th May 2008 at 2:28pm, the pressure resulting from the Indian Plate colliding with the Eurasian Plate was released along the Longmeshan fault line that runs beneath Sichuan. This led to an Earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale, with tremors lasting 120 seconds.

  18. Geography Case Studies

    Geography Case Studies - A wide selection of geography case studies to support you with GCSE Geography revision, homework and research. Twitter; Facebook; Youtube; 0 Shopping Cart +Plus. ... Case Study: China; Population Case Study: Kerala, India; Population change in MEDCs; Resources. Types of Energy;

  19. China water transfer project case study

    This is a bundle of 16 case studies/examples from the AQA 9-1 GCSE specification. This is a perfect set of resources to give to students to support them in preparation for this GCSE. Each case study/example is condensed to one A4 page, but contains the content that is required aligned with the specification. Each one of these is for sale at £2 ...

  20. Edexcel GCSE Geography B (Human Paper)

    Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Anti-Natalist, 500 million, 1 billion and more. ... Log in. Sign up. Edexcel GCSE Geography B (Human Paper) - China Case Study. Flashcards. Learn. Test. Match. Term. 1 / 13. Anti-Natalist. Click the card to flip 👆 ...

  21. River management in an emerging country

    The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River, the world's largest river management scheme, provides flood control, powers cities, promotes tourism and shipping, and supplements water supply. Over 1.25 million people were displaced due to the dam's construction. The dam's location in an earthquake-prone region leads to frequent landslides.

  22. A transboundary water issue

    Managing the Mekong River - A transboundary water issue. The Mekong River, located in southeast Asia, is the twelfth longest river in the world. Six countries share the river and its tributaries. The source of the river is in China. The river flows southeast to its mouth in the South China Sea in Vietnam. The boundary of the river basin is ...