Ignoring objections from India and Bangladesh, China has officially begun the construction of what is set to become the world’s largest dam on the upper reaches of the transboundary Brahmaputra River.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang inaugurated the massive hydropower project today, located in Tibet, according to a report by news agency AFP.
In December, the Chinese government approved the project, branding it as a cornerstone of the country’s zero-carbon emissions goal and a key component of Tibet’s regional development strategy.
The electricity generated from the project will be distributed primarily to other parts of China, while also fulfilling local energy needs in Tibet. The massive initiative is expected to surpass China’s iconic Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River.
The dam`s construction has sparked serious concerns in downstream countries, particularly India and Bangladesh, as millions of people in their lower riparian regions depend on the Brahmaputra for freshwater, agriculture, and livelihoods.
The project envisions the construction of five hydropower stations at an estimated cost of 1.2 trillion yuan (around USD 167.1 billion).
In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated that the government has expressed its concerns to Beijing and will take “all necessary measures to safeguard our interests.” It further urged China to ensure that the interests of downstream countries are not adversely affected.
China’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement issued in December, claimed that the project would have "no negative impact on downstream countries" and that it would maintain communication with them.
Environmental activists have also warned that such a large-scale infrastructure development in the ecologically fragile Tibetan region could lead to irreversible environmental damage.
It is worth noting that China and India — two Asian giants and geopolitical rivals — share a lengthy and disputed border, heavily guarded by troops on both sides.
