The water area of the Three Gorges Project under construction on the Yangtze River became navigable Wednesday, following the declination of the water flow and the passing of this year's first flood peak through the country's largest river.

Since August 16, when the water flow crossed 45,000 cubic meters per second, forcing the ship lock of the project to close. Over 80,000 boat passengers were transported to nearby Yichang City or Zigui County by over 2,000 buses. All the passengers including 27,000 foreigners are safe.

Currently, the water flow is under 45,000 cubic meters per second and the ship lock has been re-opened, according to official sources.

(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2002)