Welcome Message from Dr. Hu Chunhong, Eng. Vice Director and
Secretary General of IRTCES

WASER/IAHR/IRTCES Study Tour to the Three Gorges Project (TGP),8-15 August 2005, Yichang, Hubei Province , China

It is a pleasure and a great honor for me to welcome you to this WASER/IAHR-APD/IRTCES Study Tour to the Three Gorges Project. The purpose of the study tour is to provide theoretical and practical knowledge on the impacts of large dams to economy, social and environment. Study Tours to different sites like the Huaihe River and the Yellow River have been organized by the IRTCES for young people before. All of these youth exchange programs gained great support from the communities concerned and proved to be successful and very worthwhile.

This is a one-week study tour to study sediment transport and interaction between fluvial systems with large dams. The study tour will include lectures, a workshop, demonstration of physical and mathematical models on sediment transport, a visit to the Three Gorges Project, Zigui County-a new immigration county, Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute, boat tours to the TGP and other interesting places as well as some social events including a cultural recreation evening party and other interesting activities.

This Study tour is an outcome of international collaboration. I would like to express my sincere congratulation to the successful collaboration of the international organizations and express our sincere thanks to those who have contributed their efforts for the study tour.

I would like also to appreciate all the participants from different countries and regions taking the time for the tour and wish the tour a very success. I sincerely wish the participants to have a wonderful stay in China .

Dr. Hu Chunhong , Eng.

Vice Director and Secretary General of IRTCES