(english.cnhubei.com) Demolition of the third phase of cofferdam protecting the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest, started at 3:00 pm on February 28, 2007 in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, China's longest with explosives of 20 tons.

The preparation works were well arranged.

The Three Gorges project is schemed to function in flood control, to generate clean energy and to benefit shipping, with flood control as its major effect.

Upon completion in 2008, one year ahead of the schedule, the project will help the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River valley to withstand deluge that can be seen every 100 years.  

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