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The Thirsty Dragon: China Kicks Off Controversial Mega-Dam Project in Tibet
July 21st, 2025
Via Bloomberg, an update on China’s controversial Yarlung Tsangpo dam: Chinese Premier Li Qiang launched construction of a mega-dam project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet on Saturday, with a total planned investment of 1.2 trillion yuan ($167 billion), according to the official Xinhua News Agency. A new company called China Yajiang […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: China’s Interest In Next Dalai Lama Is Also About Control of Tibet’s Water
July 10th, 2025
Via The Conversation, commentary on how China’s interest in the next Dalai Lama is also about control of Tibet’s water supply: As the 14th Dalai Lama celebrates his 90th birthday with thousands of Tibetan Buddhists, there’s already tension over how the next spiritual leader will be selected. Controversially, the Chinese government has suggested it wants more power over who is […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: Catastrophe on the Roof of the World
June 8th, 2025
Via Stagecraft and Statecraft, commentary on the full extent of China’s destruction of the Tibetan Plateau, not least because the area is off limits to international observers. But there is no doubt that the region’s ecosystem is becoming increasingly fragile, with far-reaching social, environmental, and geopolitical consequences: The Tibetan Plateau is home to vast glacial […]
Read more »China To Speed Up Pakistan Dam Constructions After Indian Threat To Cut Water Supplies
May 20th, 2025
Via South China Morning Post, an article on China ‘s indication that it will speed up Pakistan dam construction after Indian threat to cut supplies: China has said it was accelerating work on a “flagship” dam in Pakistan in the wake of India’s recent threats to cut off water supplies. The state-owned China Energy Engineering […]
Read more »China’s Mega Dam Project Poses Big Risks for Asia’s Grand Canyon
May 17th, 2025
Via Yale e360, a report on how China’s plans to build a massive hydro project in Tibet have sparked fears about the environmental impacts on the world’s longest and deepest canyon. It has also alarmed neighboring India, which fears that China could hold back or even weaponize river water it depends on. China has announced […]
Read more »What Does the World’s Largest Dam Mean For India and Bangladesh Downstream?
April 18th, 2025
Via The Conversation, a look at China’s plans to build the world’s largest dam – but what does this mean for India and Bangladesh downstream? China recently approved the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam, across the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet. When fully up and running, it will be the world’s largest power plant – […]
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