GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS ON 1952 WATER CONSERVANCY PROGRAM FOR CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000700070289-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 19, 2011
• Sequence Number: 289
• Publication Date: July 10, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

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CLASSIFICATION REST,'.ICTED
3ECURITY INFORMATION
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION FROM
COUNTRY China
SUBJECT Economic - Water conservancy
HOW
PUBLISHED Daily newspaper
WHERE
PUBLISHED Peiping
DATE
PUBLISHED 5 Apr 1952
LANGUAGE
Ta. DO.UNR.T CONTAIN. INFORMATION AnaII U WE NATIONAL OtnUR
OF UN. stint STATUS limit TNR NAMING OF UFIONA.^ ACT .O
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a, IT LOlTuln it ANT NA.N.N TO AN NNAYINORR.. I..... it PRO
NmTto IT NI.. p.FO000TION OF TAU F... I. n....ITR N.
DATE OF
INFORMATION 1952
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UIbEVALUATED INFORMATION
GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS
ON 1952 WATER CONSERVANCY PROGRAM FOR CHINA
f series of resolutions passed by the Government Administration
Council of the Central People's Government charting the water con-
servancy program for 1952 emphasizes the progress that has been made
in flood control measures in East China. They indicate that the wa-
ter conservancy program in China has developed from a small-scale,
short-term, negative program to a basin-wide, long-range positive one.
The resolutions deal with t?e program under three main headings:
flood control, drainage, and irrigation. Flood control measures call
for the initiation and completion of the Ching Chiang Flood Diversion
Project in the Yangtze River Valley in Hupeh, strengthening of dikes
in the lower Yangtze valley, pro ects in Shantung. Kwan un the Ti-
entsin area and in Manchuria.
Drainage activities to benefit 20 million mou (one mou equals one-
sixth acre) are called for. Large and small irrigation construction
and repair projects to benefit 30 million mou are urged, as well as
extra projects urgently called for by the people where water is avail-
able and technological problems simple. A 20-percent expansion of the
irrigation progress is called for. Dredging and lock construction to
facilitate inlani water transportation, and,the use of irrigation wa-
ter power for production of electricity are urged.
The resolutions alao provide for gearing conservancy projects in
with agriculture to avoid holding up the latter, and to get the bene-
fits of the projecta'to farmers at the earliest possible moment.
Careful supervision to'insure quality and fair wages for laborers are
called for_7
CLASSIFICATION RESTRICTED
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(ARMY', I IJAIR ~/fl FBI
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In its 129th executive session the Government Administration Council of
the Central People's Government of China passed a series of resolutions govern-
ing the national eater conservancy program for 1952. A summary of the resolu-
tions follows.
A. Progress in 1951
During 1951 special progress was made in flood control measures in the
basins of the Huai, I and Shu rivers. Flood damage throughout the country was
reduced 65 percent below that of 1950. The area under irrigation was increased
by 121 percent over 1950, not including area added due to better controls in
old irrigated areas. There was also a great increase in small-scale conserv-
ancy activities by the people, such as pond digging, that add much to produc-
tion possibilities.
B. Over-All 1952 Program
In general, the water conservancy program has developed from a local to a
basin-wide program, from a provisional to a permanent basis, from a negative
1.o a positive program. The over-all 1952 program will require those responsi-
ble to take the following steps:
1. Continue antiflood measures to protect and promote agricultural pro-
duction.
2. Greatly increase irrigated areas and controls of water utilization in
order to increase production per init.
3. Dredge inland streams, and repair canals to promote shipping and rLral-
urban commercial intercourse.
4. Expand basin-wide long-range planning and preparation for basic flood
prevention, irrigation, electric power, and shipping to meet the economic needs
of the people.
5. Pay special attention to organization and training of leadership ca-
dres to insure success.
C. Detailed Conservancy Requirements for 1952
1. Antiflood measures:
Some 2.3 billion cubic meters of retention basin excavation is to be
done in the central and upper reaches of the Huai River basin. This should be
sufficient to prevent breaking of dikes below Yang-kuan JYang-kuan-tie? by a
flood equaling in intensity even the 1950 flood. In the lower reaches the east
dike of the grand canal requires strengthening for protection of this area.
In the central reaches of the Yangtze River the strengthening of the
great Ching Chiang dike should continue, and the work on the Ching Chiang di-
version basin dikes and the admission and control locks should be finished be-
fore the flood season begins.
At other points in the central and laver reaches of the Yangtze river
dikes should be strengthened sufficiently to withstand flood waters equal to
those of 1931 and 1950.
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The antiflood dikes in the Shih-t'ou-chuang and other areas should be
strengthened to carry safely a floe of 23,000 to 29,000 cubic meters per second.
In the Chu Chiang basin the annual antiflood dike repairs should in-
clude raising the dikes somewhat above the 1950 level.
The work program for controlling the courses of the I and Shu rivets
ought to be completed during 1950, ensuring a flood carrying capacity of 6,000
cubic meters per second for the I at Li-chia-chuang and 4,500 cubic meters per
second for the Shu at Ta-kuan-chuang.
Work on the Yung-tang River flood diversion reservoir should be
hastened so that it can be ready for use by the 1953 flood season.
Floods in the Sungari and Liao River systems in 1951 make it impera-
tive that rapid measures be taken this year to prevent a recurrence and to in-
itiate basic control programs.
Drainage measures should be carried out involving 20 million mou of
land and making possible the growing of one and two crops in areas now subject
to flood calamity because of insufficient natural drainage.
Irrigation operations in 1952 should provide for new construction, re-
construction, and expansion of existing systems to cover 30 million mou (in-
cluding large-scale irrigation projects on 7 million mou and small-scale opera.
tions such as short canals, pond dikes, chain pumps, wells, etc., on an area
of 23 million mou) and, in sofar as possible, for advancement of the program
of digging branch and retaining canals on individual farms so as to realize
their benefits as early as possible.
To counter drought disaster, not only should the new projects planned
be carried out speedily, but, insofar as possible, additional projects which the
people are ceiling for particularly urgently should be added where conditions
permit and technical problems are not especially difficult. With regard to
rehabilitation projects in addition to those currently planned, further work
may be undertaken on restoration of long-neglected or already reverted canals
where the water supply for them is assured.
On the basis of present experience, democratic control, and economic
use of water, the irrigation program in general can be expanded by 20 percent.
Hence, where control programs have already been set up they should be
strengthened, and speedily extended to other areas. Research should be devoted
to shallow irrigation in order to expand the area to meet current demands.
The project of taking water from the Yellow River for irrigation in
the Wei River basin should benefit 200,000 mou this spring and 400,000 mou by
summer.
The Lo-hui canal project should guarantee the irrigation of 400,000
mou. After completion of the Huang-yang lock in the Ho-t'ao area irrigation
benefits should gradually extend from the present 1,100,000 mou to 2,800,000
mou.
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In North Kiangsu the earthwork on the main irrigation canals and the
Kao-liang-chien and the locks east of the grand canal should be basically com-
pleted this year. These will form a basin for irrigating 25,800,000 mou.
The four great irrigation canals of the Northeast should be revived
and extended, starting from where work was left off in 1951.
4. Small-scale but effective conservancy structures, such as pcnde. dikes,
ditches, small-scale canals, wells, springs, and anti-erosion measures, should
be promoted and popularized in accord - ith local conditions, and the strength
of the masses mobilized and organized in support of them. In this way the
varied experiences of the masses may be pooled and technical advice given. In
areas where the water supply is limited, small-scale retention reservoirs may
be constructed experimentally.
5. To meet the requirements of internal shipping, step-by-step dredging
of internal streams and -epair and construction of boat locks should proceed as
planned. Among such projects are the dredging of the grand canal, the steamer
channels at the mouth of the Chu Chiang and the Chia-ling Chiang, and repair
and construction of locks at Tsao-ho-chen in North Kiangsu, Huang-tien-chiang
in South Kiangsu, and on the Choi Chiang in southern Szechwan.
6. To promote the task of basic flood control of important rivers the
work of investigation, surveys, and research and planning should be strenhchened.
Hydrological data, rainfall records, and water level topographic surveys are
very important in planning such projects; hence, every station and crew must
take their responsibilities seriously and see that the material in their re-
ports is detailed, accurate, and dependable.
7. All possibilities latent in water supply sources should be exploited
and plans made to employ them in meeting the varied needs fof agricultur7. All
conservancy projects already completed should be exploited to the fullest pos-
sible extent at the earliest possible moment. Many flood diversion basins can
be used for irrigation and hydroelectric power production. Boat locks may also
be used to produce electricity. There is available water power in the water
flowing from higher to lower levels in large-scale irrigation projects. All
these possibilities, if exploited, can be of great value to the expansion of
industry, agriculture, and the supplemental industries of farmers.
D. Tasks for 1952
For the fullest accomplishment of 1952 responsibilities the following
things must be done:
1. In line with the campaign for elimination of corruption, waste, and
bureaucracy, the 1952 plans and controls should be reassessed and those revised
that do not fit in with basic reconstruction policies, with a view to reducing
expenses and increasing work output.
2. However urgent a task may be, it should not be undertaken without ade-
quate preparation.
3. To strengthen leadership there must be firm cooperation among admin-
istrative leaders, cadres, and technicians.
4. Patriotic indoctrination of the masses mobilized for these projects
must be promoted and a proper priority adjustment made between agricultural op-
erations and conservancy project operations. Proper prices should be paid the
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5. Conservancy projects shoul3 be carried out as early as possible to
avoid conflict with spring planting operations, to provide against early floods,
and to make irrigaL-a benefits available early in the season.
6. To insure the quality of work on projects, the principle of individual
responsibility should be gradually introduced as experience is gained.
7. Building projects should, insofar as possible, be carried out by work-
men engaged directly, without contracts being let, in order to avoid loss due
to penuriousness of contractors with labor and materials.
8. In hafidling earth and stone the piecework method should be followed
and organized group competition encouraged to step up production.
9. Careful supervision of projects must be maintained to avoid hidden
w-aknesses; acceptance of finished work must hold to high standards.
10. All types of flood control and irrigation structures must be under
frequent scrupulous inspection to provide against breakdowns and hidden weak-
nesses. Maintenance activity must be steady, particularly before flood sea-
sons.
11. Directors of mass labor activities must assume responsibility for liv-
ing quarters, food supply, security and safety, sanitation, and medical service
in order to preserve high morale among workers.
B. Conclusions
Under the leadership of the Central People's Government, conservancy mea-
sures have made phenomenal progress. As the land reform program is completed,
the demands of the people for more conservancy measures will be further accen-
tuated. Leaders in this field throughout t .,.e country should be alive to the
needs and possibilities and, taking advantage of the seasoning of our cadre
force througn the land reform struggle, should proceed to carry out conservancy
measures that will add to the agricultural and industrial production of the
country and the tranquility of the people.
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