BLOG
The Thirsty Dragon: China and the Mekong River – Dominance or Collaboration?
April 4th, 2018
Via Future Directions International, a report on the Mekong River: The Prime Ministers of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam are meeting for the third Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The MRC was established in 1995 to strengthen joint efforts and partnerships for the sustainable management and development of water resources in […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon and Parched Tiger: Asia’s Dangerous Thirst
January 24th, 2018
Via the Nikkei Asian Review, commentary on how rapidly growing demand for water is stoking tensions in Asia: In recent weeks, one of the most pristine Himalayan rivers has mysteriously turned black when entering India from Tibet, highlighting how China’s upstream tunneling, damming and mining activities might be causing major environmental contamination. The plight of […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: Resource-Hungry China Wages Water Wars By Stealth
January 17th, 2018
Via the South China Morning Post, interesting commentary on the need for international pressure to rein in Beijing’s dam-building frenzy and ensure it respects the environment and rights of downstream nations: China’s hyperactive dam building is a reminder that, while the international attention remains on its recidivist activities in the South China Sea’s disputed waters, […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: China Lavishes Cash On Cambodia With Eye On Mekong
January 12th, 2018
Via Terra Daily, a report on China’s outreach to Cambodia with an eye on Mekong control: Beijing has pledged billions of dollars to build new infrastructure in Cambodia, officials said Thursday, as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang ended a two-day charm offensive currying favour for its mega-dams across the Mekong. The storied waterway, which twists through […]
Read more »The Thirsty Dragon: China Flexes Its Control On The Mekong
January 11th, 2018
Via The Asia Times, an article on how the recent Mekong-Lancang Cooperation summit did more to facilitate Beijing’s economic penetration than address the waterway’s many problems: Was it truly worth Chinese Premier Li Keqiang traveling all the way to Phnom Penh for the second Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) summit? As the MLC leaders’ meeting closed on Wednesday, […]
Read more »The Mekong: Dammed To Die
November 15th, 2017
Via Inter Press Service, a report on the Mekong River: In Laos, the lush forests are alive with the whines of drills that pierce the air. On the Mekong, a giant concrete wall rises slowly above the trees. The Don Sahong dam is a strong symbol, not only for a power-hungry Asia but also for […]
Read more »