Chinese Fracking Plans Prompt “Water-Grabbing” Fears

China has become one of Asia’s leaders in expanding unconventional shale-gas extraction in the name of energy self-sufficiency and national autonomy. Experiences of “fracking” worldwide, however, suggest the costs to China of joining this revolution will be loss of control of natural resources and land to major corporations, with negative social and environmental consequences for many communities.

Pig Carcasses in Shanghai River Spawn Dark Humor on Chinese Internet

The Huangpu River usually appears in glamor shots of Shanghai, serving as scenic backdrop to the colonial splendor of the Bund or the modern marvel of the Pudong skyline. But of late, a more grim and distasteful association has emerged. As of March 12, almost 6,000 dead pigs have been found in the river, stoking fears about drinking water quality in one of China’s most developed cities.