The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- China is pressing ahead with its massive Yarlung Zangbo Lower Reaches Hydropower Project on the Brahmaputra in Tibet near the Indian border, despite environmental concerns raised after a recent glacial collapse and flash flood in the region.
- The project, announced by Premier Li Qiang at a July 2025 groundbreaking with a 1.2 trillion Yuan investment for five power stations, is expected to generate around 300 billion kilowatt-hours a year, more than three times the Three Gorges dam.
- Analysts believe the project will involve a reservoir near Mainling and a roughly 40-km tunnel diverting water through five 12-GW powerhouses along the river's 'great bend'.
- India is concerned about water storage, downstream flows and ecological impacts, and the two countries are set to meet this month under the Expert-Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers, though hydrological data sharing has often been irregular.
What to watch next
- The upcoming India-China Expert-Level Mechanism meeting and whether hydrological data sharing improves
- Any further disclosures on reservoir location, relocations, or construction timelines from the new China Yajiang Group
- Whether China responds to environmental concerns raised after the glacial collapse and flash flood
Who said what3
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Zhang Guoqing
1 quote · 1 outlet
“We must shoulder the principal responsibility for project‑building and build this landmark mega project of the new era”
In the article
…Hydropower Project, as the mega dam project is referred to in China. Underscoring the importance accorded to the plan, China’s Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing visited Nyingchi in Tibet, near the border, in April this year. " We must shoulder the principal responsibility for project‑building and build this landmark mega project of the new era ,” he was quoted as saying, adding that the government would “put quality first, safety as the foundation, strictly enforce construction standards and ecological‑environmental‑protection requirements, and keep…
Li Qiang
1 quote · 1 outlet
“the project of the century”
In the article
…and safety.” ‘Project of the century’ At a groundbreaking ceremony in July 2025, China’s second-ranked leader and Premier Li Qiang, who travelled to Nyingchi, announced the start of construction of what he called “ the project of the century ”. A total investment of 1.2 trillion Yuan (around ₹14 lakh crore) was announced for the construction of five power stations. Since then, there has been little public information about the project, although Mr. Zhang’s…
Guo Jiakun
1 quote · 1 outlet
“construction of the project is beneficial for disaster prevention and mitigation throughout the entire river basin and will not have adverse effects on downstream areas”
In the article
…spokesperson Guo Jiakun said last year that Beijing “always maintained a highly responsible attitude toward transboundary river development and has rich experience in hydropower project development”. He said the “ construction of the project is beneficial for disaster prevention and mitigation throughout the entire river basin and will not have adverse effects on downstream areas ”. “China has conducted hydrological reporting, flood control, and disaster reduction cooperation with relevant downstream countries and has also engaged in necessary communication regarding the project,” he said.…
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Coverage1
All filed from India
Named China · India · Nepal · Brahmaputra River · Nyingchi · Tibet · China Yajiang Group · David Fishman · Expert-Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers · Guo Jiakun · Li Qiang · Zhang Guoqing
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