Part 9/12:
With the project’s cost soaring to nearly $70 billion, questions arise about its long-term viability. Former Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Qu Baosheng, has voiced concerns regarding the sustainability of such a massive endeavor, particularly in light of its human costs and environmental challenges. Critics argue that providing more water will only encourage unsustainable agricultural practices in the north, much like prescribing a surgical fix while allowing for unhealthy lifestyles to persist.