Plug may be pulled on dam

Concerns about potential ecological damage from dam-building projects on the Nujiang River are being mulled, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

"I would like to point out that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the exploration and the protection of cross-border rivers and aims to seek a balance between development and protection," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu.

The relevant authorities have been organizing seminars and soliciting the views of experts, related bodies and regional authorities before a final decision is made on dam construction on the Nujiang River, Ma said.