Economics
World’s Largest Water Diversion Plan Won’t Quench China’s Thirst
- $40 billion spent so far on aqueducts to feed northern cities
- Government taps technology, boosts food imports to save water
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Autumn rains came too late to save the stunted stalks of Shu Xinguo’s corn crop, withered by a dry July growing season.
"We rely on the weather for our living," said Shu, weary and resigned, his tanned hands hoisting bundles of his remaining crop -- green and yellow tobacco leaves -- onto a three-wheeled tractor. “There’s no water for irrigation, and the well in the village has no water either.”