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(www.newsgd.com 2004-07-27)

The dispute over the fate of the 10,000-hectare Nansha wetland has been settled satisfactorily.

The area, known as the Kidney of Guangzhou, is expected to be built this year to become one of the first wetland forest parks in China.

But, based on a blueprint for the Nansha economic development zone drawn up in 2002, a petrochemical plant and an iron and steel works will be built near the 10,000-hectare park at the southern tip of Nansha.

This is the only remaining large area of wetland in Guangzhou, with an irreplaceable ecological function and is a habitat for millions of rare migratory birds. Many scientists as well as ordinary citizens were concerned about the fate of this land. After prolonged debate, the government finally decided that there would be no construction south of Shiba Chong. The GuangZhou Wetland Forest Park is to be built in Shijiu Chong.

The decision has been welcomed in scientific circles. Mr. Liang Guozhao, a researcher from the Academy of Social Sciences, believes the industrial development will affect the wetland to some extent, but he also believes measures can be taken to reduce the negative effects to the lowest possible degree.

He thinks that with good utilization of the land, the "natural kidney" could absorb some of the pollutants from the petrochemical and steel plants.