Chinese water resource officials say that China plans to do more to harness its hydroelectric resources along the Yangtze river in the coming decades, despite growing concerns over dam construction there.
In a report released Tuesday on the Ministry of Water Resources Web site, vice minister Hu Siyi says China plans to build at least 20 more reservoirs or hydroelectric projects along the Yangtze river by 2020.
Water resource officials tell the state-run China Daily that by 2020, China will be utilizing 50 percent of the river's hydropower resources, and up to 60 percent by the following decade.
Officials say that up until now, only a third of the river's resources have being exploited.
Plans to build numerous dams along the Yangtze river have drawn heavy criticism from domestic and overseas experts who warn of a wide range of risks to the environment, landslides and perhaps earthquakes.
The Three Gorges Dam lies on the Yangtze River and is the largest hydroelectric project in the world.
The project has long been a source of controversy for China, which defends it saying it has been a positive force on the environment and has improved the lives of locals.
China relocated more than 1.4 million people to make way for the Three Gorges Dam.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and water resource ministry.