BEIJING: China has responded to growing concerns about its plan to build the world’s largest dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, asserting that the mega-project will not negatively affect neighboring countries. The $137 billion dam, located in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region, has sparked apprehensions, particularly in India, about its potential environmental impact and disruption to water flow.
Speaking on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning downplayed these worries, emphasizing that the project’s safety and ecological considerations have been thoroughly examined over several decades of study. She reassured that the construction of the dam will not harm lower riparian states, stressing that China has always been responsible for the management and development of cross-border rivers.
The dam will be built in a large gorge in Tibet, where the Brahmaputra River takes a sharp U-turn before flowing into India and Bangladesh. The project is considered the world’s largest infrastructure initiative, requiring a capital investment that could exceed one trillion yuan (approximately $137 billion). However, experts note that the energy generated by the dam will be primarily directed eastward, as there is little demand for power in Tibet itself.
Despite the assurances, concerns remain, particularly from India, about the potential effects on water flow downstream. Observers warn that changes in river dynamics could have significant consequences for countries in the lower reaches.
