China has commenced the construction of the world’s largest hydropower megadam, with Premier Li Qiang labeling it the “project of the century.” This massive structure is being built on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, located in Tibetan territory. Li made these remarks at a ceremony marking the beginning of the construction, causing Chinese markets to rise due to the long-awaited megaproject, initially announced in 2020 as part of China’s 14th five-year plan.
The dam has faced criticism from India, Bangladesh, Tibetan groups, and environmentalists. These parties express concern that the river’s water could be blocked or diverted, potentially affecting millions of people downstream. India and Bangladesh have already officially voiced their worries to Beijing.
China has assured that they do not intend to exert “water hegemony” and will continue to work with downstream countries on disaster prevention and mitigation. However, the construction of the dam raises concerns about potential population displacement and the existence of sacred sites along the river. Tibetan groups have also expressed concerns about the lack of information being shared regarding these issues.
In response to these concerns, the Chinese government argues that the project will create jobs in the region, increase domestic energy supplies, and spur development in the renewable energy sector. They also emphasize the importance of ecological conservation to prevent environmental damage.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/21/china-starts-building-world-biggest-hydropower-dam-yarlung-tsangpo-river-tibet
