The Qinghai
provincial government has suspended a planned tourism project on
Qinghai Lake, China’s largest salt lake, officials confirmed
Wednesday.
The Xiadu Tourism Co., Ltd., announced in May that it would
begin a luxury cruise service on the lake. Billed as a four-star
hotel on the water, the 80-meter-long ship was designed with
facilities for dining, lodging and entertainment.
But the commercial plan met with opposition from scientists at
the Chinese
Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of
Engineering immediately after it was announced.?
As the lake is a closed inland one with no water outlet,
scientists are concerned about the buildup of pollutants from the
ship. If that occurs, they contend, the ship could destroy the
ecological balance of the lake area.
The provincial government held a special meeting to discuss the
project and the scientists’ objections, concluding that the project
needed further review.
Provincial environmental protection authorities will organize
experts to study the academicians’ concerns and reevaluate the
project.
(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2004)