China’s Ambitious Mega-Dam Project in Tibet

China has embarked on constructing a massive dam on the Brahmaputra River, known locally as Yarlung Tsangpo, in Tibet. The project officially began on Saturday, with Premier Li Qiang present at the commencement ceremony, as reported by state media. This initiative is part of China’s broader strategy to achieve carbon neutrality and bolster economic development in the Tibet region.

Economic and Environmental Implications

The electricity generated from this mega-dam will primarily be distributed to other regions, while also fulfilling local power demands in Tibet. According to Xinhua, the dam is poised to surpass the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in terms of scale. However, its construction raises significant concerns about the potential impact on millions of people living downstream in India and Bangladesh.

Investment and Infrastructure Details

The project involves building five hydropower stations, with a total investment estimated at approximately 1.2 trillion yuan ($167.1 billion). This substantial financial commitment underscores China’s dedication to expanding its renewable energy infrastructure.

India’s Concerns and Diplomatic Engagements

India has expressed apprehensions regarding the dam’s construction, emphasizing the need to protect its interests. In January, India communicated its concerns to China, highlighting the importance of monitoring developments closely. The Indian foreign ministry has urged China to ensure that downstream states’ interests are not adversely affected by upstream activities.

China’s Assurances and Environmental Warnings

In response, China’s foreign ministry assured that the project would not negatively impact downstream regions and pledged to maintain communication with countries along the river’s lower reaches. Despite these assurances, environmentalists have voiced concerns about the irreversible ecological effects such mega projects could have on the sensitive Tibetan plateau.

Geopolitical Context

This development occurs against a backdrop of complex geopolitical dynamics between China and India, two neighboring Asian powers with a history of border disputes. Both nations maintain significant military presence along their shared borders, adding another layer of tension to this ambitious infrastructure project.