Lessons to be learned

Zhouqu, in northwest China's Gansu province, might have remained unknown to many of us had it not been for the fatal mudslide one year ago that killed 1,471, injured 2,500, and left 294 missing.

It is suspected that persistent deforestation was one of the main causes for the devastation.

When we commemorate the tragedy today, we cannot help worrying whether the people there can keep themselves from harm's way even after paying such a high price. The dozens of small hydropower plants that are being erected on local waterways constitute a serious cause for concern.