In thi spaper

three problems are discussed: First

as regards flood control

the idea of waiting for the building of Three Gorges Dam should be abandoned. It is impractical to rely every wishful thinking on the building of Three Gorges Dam; Second

development of the tributaries should be given first priority

and then the main river. The development of hydroelecrtic stations should be incorporated with the development of thermal stations

as local condition may suit; Third

in developing the Yangtze River in the stretch around Sichuan Province

navigation

and not flood control

should have the first priority. River channel regulation work should be carried out before the sedimentation problem is solved. The Three Gorges Dam

with its mammoth magnitude

huge monetary expenditure and very long leading time

will be a main engineering undertaking on the Yangtze River. It must be fully demonstrated whether the dam should be built at all. Such a major issue with far-reaching overall impacts should not bedecided by a few people

in order to avoid the waste of manpower and financial resources and leave harms to our descendants.