China will boost the use of hydroelectric resources along the Yangtze River in the coming decades despite, according to a strategic development plan of the river unveiled by the Ministry of Water Resources. This is despite increasing public concern about the environmental impact of these schemes.

Some 36 per cent of the Yangtze’s hydropower resources are currently exploited. This is set to rise to about 50 per cent by 2020 and 60 per cent by 2030, according to Cai Qihua, director of the Yangtze Water Resources Committee, affiliated with the ministry.

Hydro projects will be developed on tributaries in upper reaches of the Yangtze, including the Yalong, Dadu and Wujiang rivers.