Beijing, July 24: China on Wednesday defended its controversial decision to construct what is expected to be the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra River in the ecologically sensitive Tibetan region, amid growing apprehensions from downstream countries, particularly India and Bangladesh.
At a press briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun sought to allay fears, stating that the dam—being built on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo (the upper course of the Brahmaputra)—will have “no negative impact on the downstream regions.” The project is projected to generate over 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, reportedly enough to power more than 300 million people.
India has expressed concerns about the dam’s strategic and environmental implications, particularly its potential to alter water flow and pose flood risks in the bordering Northeastern regions. Experts have also pointed out that the dam’s location in a high seismic zone makes it prone to earthquake-related hazards.
Guo emphasized that the project falls within China’s sovereign right and is being undertaken to promote clean energy, boost local livelihoods, and address climate change. He asserted that China adheres to top industry standards in environmental protection during the dam’s planning and construction phases.
The spokesperson also highlighted existing cooperation with India and Bangladesh, including hydrological data sharing and flood mitigation efforts, and reiterated China’s commitment to strengthening regional coordination. However, skeptics remain wary, pointing to the geopolitical and ecological stakes involved, especially as the dam could give China significant control over a crucial transboundary river.
Critics continue to warn that large-scale infrastructure development in the fragile Tibetan Plateau—already vulnerable to tectonic activity—could have far-reaching consequences for the Brahmaputra basin, which sustains millions of lives across South Asia.
