Wen suspends Nu River dam project

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao suspended plans for construction of a 13-stage dam on the Nu River in Yunnan province, citing environmental concerns. Premier Wen Jiabao announced the suspension in a document that was printed in mainland and Hong Kong media. The document said the suspension was in response to concerns about environmental protection along one of China's, and Asia's, last pristine rivers. Wen's order does not halt the project, instead it mandates a review of the project on the Nu River and the ecosystems it supports before any construction begins. Construction on the dam project was scheduled to begin this year.