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SCMP Editorial
SCMP Editorial

Editorial | Transparency key to easing regional concerns over Tibet mega-dam

With delicate diplomatic handling, this ‘project of the century’ can build goodwill and help South Asia’s water-dependent economies

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The Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon in Nyingchi city, Tibet, China, on March 28, 2021. Photo: AFP
SCMP Editorial
When Premier Li Qiang broke ground for the construction of the Yarlung Tsangpo mega-dam, he marked the start of one of the most extraordinary infrastructure projects in world history.
Located in Medog, a remote county on the Tibetan Plateau, the super-dam could produce, when completed, three times the output of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze and will play a decisive role in China’s commitment to become carbon-neutral by 2060. It will be a big part of the renewable energy mix that includes solar and wind power, not only in the Tibet autonomous region but for central China as well. As part of a national project to integrate the Tibetan region with development and economic growth, the renewable energy bonanza from the dam will promote population growth, tourism, and resource exploration and extraction.

The 1.2 trillion yuan (US$167 billion) dam will benefit not only the local economy, but also regional development. By harnessing the river’s 2,000m elevation drop in the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, the world’s deepest, it can potentially provide 300 million people with clean power, including in nearby countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Myanmar, stimulating regional economic development.

Bangladesh and Myanmar suffer frequent power outages and can especially benefit from the dam’s projected excess capacity. This is not to deny the countries are sceptical. India is especially opposed to the project and is planning an 11.2-gigawatt dam downstream to assert its water rights.

Beijing is well aware of the controversy. The foreign ministry has said rigorous environmental protection and mitigation efforts will be made during construction, and transparency will be maintained through communication with countries downstream.

It needs to do more. To mitigate transborder disputes, it won’t be enough to just say there will be “no negative impact” downstream. China can build confidence through engagement and transparency. Timely data-sharing on dam conditions and water levels will certainly help.

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