Gazing upon Gaozhen Reservoir, did you ever imagine it as a pawn in a political chess match? This serene expanse of water, nestled amidst the hills of Shenzhen, holds a secret history far more intriguing than its tranquil surface suggests. Gaozhen Reservoir wasn’t always known by this name. In 1959, it was Shum Chun Reservoir, a gift from Guangdong authorities to the people of Hong Kong. The project was a rapid response to Hong Kong’s post-war water shortage, a crisis exacerbated by booming population growth and industrialization. The reservoir’s construction was a marvel of human effort. Over 40,000 workers, equipped with basic tools like shovels and carts, toiled day and night to complete the dam before the 1960 rainy season. Imagine young Zhang Jingai, an 18-year-old “flying girl,” hurtling down the dam’s slope with her empty cart, a testament to the speed and dedication of the workforce. This rapid construction earned it the nickname the “100 days dam”.
The completion of the Gaozhen Reservoir, then Shum Chun Reservoir, was a cause for celebration but also a political dilemma for Hong Kong. While the reservoir offered a solution to the urgent water shortage, Governor Black hesitated to rely on mainland China for such a vital resource. The negotiations were delicate, with Hong Kong striving to maintain its independence while accepting this crucial aid. The agreement, signed not by high-ranking officials, but by members of the water departments, carefully stipulated a fixed maximum supply and a competitive price to avoid the appearance of charity. The agreement was a landmark moment in the relationship between Hong Kong and mainland China.
But the story doesn’t end there. Even after the dam’s completion, nature threw a curveball. Typhoon Mary, in June 1960, filled the reservoir overnight, long before the spillway was finished. The rising water threatened the dam’s integrity, forcing the army to prepare to blow up a temporary dam. Thankfully, the storm subsided just in time, averting disaster. The story of Gaozhen Reservoir highlights not only human ingenuity but also the unpredictable forces of nature and the intricate dance of political maneuvering. From its hurried construction to its role in a delicate political agreement, the reservoir’s history offers a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of providing for a rapidly growing city. It stands as a silent witness to the complex relationship between Hong Kong and mainland China, a testament to human endeavor, and a reminder of nature’s raw power.