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The Thirsty Dragon: What Chinese Dams in Laos Tell Us About the Belt and Road Initiative
December 6th, 2021
Via The Diplomat, a look at what Chinese dams in Laos tell us about Chinese ambitions and objectives: With nearly $900 billion in investment across nearly 140 countries, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has sparked significant debate. Much of this debate has focused on the professed grand strategic aims of the project, leading to […]
Read more »Thai Water Project Clears Major Hurdle After China Shows Interest
October 28th, 2021
Via Voice of America, an article on Thailand’s recent decision to move ahead on a controversial water diversion project: Thailand is moving forward on a controversial and long-pondered water diversion project after the plan drew interest from a major Chinese firm, a move that could give Beijing a new outpost for its sweeping Belt and […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: Red Flag River and China’s Downstream Neighbors
October 23rd, 2021
Via The Diplomat, an article on China’s proposed mega-water transfer project is already sparking fears amongst countries downstream of the impacted rivers: The Red Flag River Water Diversion Project Proposal (Red Flag River) is a new enormous inter-basin water diversion proposal in China. It is not an official project and has not received approval from the Chinese government; however, since […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: China’s Hydropower Plan On The Brahmaputra
September 7th, 2021
Via The Diplomat, a report on China’s hydropower plan on the Brahmaputra: In March of this year, China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) approved the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for national economic and social development, as well as its long-range objectives through to the year 2035. While the elevation of renewable energy to an even more prominent position in China’s 14th […]
Read more »US, China Dueling For Power On The Mekong
September 6th, 2021
Via The Asia Times, a report on how the countries sharing the Lancang-Mekong River are entering a new era of hydropolitics, involving programs on both economic and water resource development, and hydro-diplomacy via China’s dam-engineered control of the headwaters of the Mekong: When China announced in early August a new US$6 million for new development […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: Semiconductors and Water Scarcity in China
August 15th, 2021
Via The Diplomat, a look the nexus between semiconductors and water scarcity in China: Everyone knows it’s a bad idea to spill water on a cell phone, but did you know that it takes more than 3,000 gallons of water to produce one? Water is needed for mining the metal, making the glue and plastic for assembly […]
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