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Chen Xing

1921 – 2005

Chinese hydrologist

Hydrologist
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About Chen Xing

Lived 1921 – 2005 (aged 83–84). Chen Xing was a hydrologist.

Chen Xing (; July 1921 – 15 May 2009) was a Chinese hydrologist who was involved in the design of the Banqiao Dam.

Chen was born in Nanjing and was a vocal critic and whistle-blower of the government dam building policy, which involved many dams in the basin. He had recommended 12 sluice gates for the Banqiao Dam, but this was scaled back to 5. Other dams Chen participated in designing, including the Shimantan Dam, had similar reductions of safety features and he was eventually removed from the project. In 1961, after problems with the water system surfaced, he was brought back to help. Chen continued to be an outspoken critic of the system and was again removed from the project.

In August 1975, both the Banqiao and Shimantan dams failed due to Super Typhoon Nina, as Chen had warned. Their failure destroyed 60 more dams downstream.

In the 1980s, Chen participated in the Agri-Energy Roundtable (AER), attending and speaking at several conferences on the world stage and becoming the first Chinese to join AER's board. In 1984 Chen worked with his provincial governor, He Zhukang, to invite an international investment mission—later organized by AER—which proved successful in attracting world attention to the resources and opportunities in central China.

He died in May 2009 at the age of 87.

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Important facts

Born
1921, Nanjing
Birth century
Occupation
Hydrologist

People in Chen Xing's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Chen Xing's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Chen Xing?

Chinese hydrologist

When was Chen Xing born?

Chen Xing was born in 1921 in Nanjing.

When did Chen Xing die?

Chen Xing died on 15 May 2005.

What was Chen Xing's occupation?

Chen Xing was a hydrologist.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Chen Xing

· Wikidata: Q17305776

· DBpedia: Chen Xing (hydrologist)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Chen Xing. https://biography.guide/chen-xing-hydrologist/

MLA: "Chen Xing." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/chen-xing-hydrologist/.

Chicago: "Chen Xing." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/chen-xing-hydrologist/.

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