China starts construction on world's largest hydropower dam in Tibet
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China Begins World's Largest Hydropower Dam Construction
Above: Yani National Wetland Park at the convergence of the Yarlung Zangbo and Nyang Rivers in Nyingchi, China. Image copyright: Feature China/Future Publishing/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
This massive hydropower project represents China's commitment to renewable energy and carbon neutrality goals while boosting economic development in Tibet. The dam will create thousands of jobs, stimulate related industries, and provide clean electricity to power-hungry cities. China has assured downstream nations that rigorous scientific evaluation shows no negative environmental or water supply impacts.
Anti-China narrative
The dam poses serious threats to millions downstream who depend on the Brahmaputra River for survival, giving China dangerous leverage over India's economy and Bangladesh's water security. Past hydropower projects have displaced over a million people and triggered brutal crackdowns on Tibetan protesters. The project could weaponize water resources, causing devastating floods or droughts that would destroy tribal communities and agricultural livelihoods.