Is China planning to leave its neighbors without water?

China has historically been the birthplace of megaprojects. Economically and demographically strong since ancient times, the country has long implemented massive projects that were considered miraculous for their era, preserving this capacity for thousands of years. At a time when Americans or Europeans were still chasing animals with stones, monumental structures stretching thousands of kilometers—such as the Great Wall of China and the Grand Canal—were already being built in the East. The Chinese people have long been known for their willingness to make great sacrifices for grand ambitions. In the past, such colossal construction projects claimed the lives of millions of ordinary people, which is why the Great Wall has gone down in history under the symbolic name “the longest cemetery.”

Even today, despite not being known for a democratic image, China continues to astonish the world with ambitious projects such as Chengdu-based companies’ “artificial sun,” the Tiangong Space Station, and FAST, the world’s largest spherical radio telescope with a 500-meter aperture. One of the latest megaprojects in this line is the Medog Hydropower Plant, expected to become the most powerful hydroelectric power station in the world.

Dam in the mountains

The Yarlung Tsangpo River originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows from west to east along the northern slopes of the Himalayas. Often referred to as the “Sky River,” it earns this name due to the fact that most of its course runs through mountainous terrain. The river supplies water to three countries: in India it is known as the Brahmaputra, while in Bangladesh it is called the Jamuna.

China plans to construct the new facility at a section of the river where it sharply turns south toward India after encircling the Namcha Barwa peak, located at the eastern edge of the Himalayas. The key reason for this choice is the dramatic drop in the river’s elevation—around 2,000 to 2,500 meters over a short distance—creating enormous kinetic energy potential.

Since the project area is administratively located in Medog County of China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, the facility is referred to in various sources as either the Medog Hydropower Plant or the Motuo Hydropower Plant. Although the project, planned in December 2024, was initially kept confidential, construction officially began on July 19, 2025, with more than 40,000 specialists currently involved.

China is building a giant “monster”

China is a vast market. Home to nearly 17 percent of the world’s population, the country’s demand for electricity is correspondingly enormous. With annual electricity consumption estimated at around 10 trillion kilowatt-hours, approximately 55–60 percent of China’s power generation still comes from thermal power plants. Energy production through coal combustion places a heavy burden on natural resources and causes significant environmental damage. Nearly 33–34 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions reportedly originate from China alone, signaling the urgent need for the country to rethink its future energy strategy.

Taking these challenges into account, Chinese authorities have significantly increased investments in renewable and green energy projects. Since 2000, China has launched 193 hydropower projects, the largest of which is the Three Gorges Dam—the biggest hydropower station not only in China but in the world. Built on the Yangtze River, the Three Gorges Dam has an installed capacity of 22,500 megawatts. However, the Medog Hydropower Plant currently under construction is expected to be nearly three times more powerful. Its projected annual output is estimated at 300 billion kilowatt-hours, making it the most powerful hydropower facility in human history.

The megaproject, implemented by the state-owned Power Construction Corporation of China, is estimated to cost between 167 and 170 billion US dollars—nearly four times the investment required for the current record-holder. Constructing such a massive hydraulic structure on a river flowing through one of the world’s most seismically active regions is undoubtedly costly. However, the project envisions five massive power stations at the river’s sharp bend, allowing the river’s flow to be used twice, significantly increasing efficiency. Through this colossal undertaking, China hopes to slow climate change and mitigate other environmental challenges.

Major project, major problems

Nature predates national borders. While the river is critical to China’s energy system, it does not belong to China alone. India and Bangladesh have equal rights to its waters. Transboundary water resources have always been a complex and contentious issue, and China’s new project is no exception.

Building a dam on a river basin that simultaneously supplies water to India and Bangladesh risks straining China’s relations with its neighbors. If China gains control over water flows, neighboring countries may be forced into negotiations over access to this vital resource. Moreover, reports suggest that the project requires the excavation of at least four tunnels, each approximately 20 kilometers long, through the Namcha Barwa mountain. This would divert the flow of the Yarlung Tsangpo, the longest river in Tibet. Although the river is not the sole water source for India or Bangladesh, it plays a crucial role in the daily lives of local communities along its banks. The livelihoods of populations living near the river are closely tied to it.

Logistics is another major concern. For many Bangladeshis, fishing and fisheries are essential for survival. Any disruption to the river’s flow could further complicate already difficult living conditions.

Environmentalists have also warned that China’s new megaproject could cause serious damage to biodiversity in the river basin. The Tibetan Plateau is home to exceptionally rich and unique flora and fauna, and many activists fear that altering the river’s course could irreversibly damage this fragile ecosystem.

Renowned geologist and retired professor at Dibrugarh University, Dr. Jogendranath Sharma, has cautioned that the project’s location in a seismically active zone poses significant risks for downstream regions in Assam. He warned of potential ecological degradation and catastrophic consequences in the event of earthquakes. China, however, has repeatedly dismissed criticism, insisting that the project has undergone thorough environmental assessments.

The new hydropower plant has sparked not only international concern but also domestic discontent within China. Since much of the project is being implemented in the Tibetan region, indigenous residents are reportedly being forcibly relocated to other cities. While official data on the number of displaced people and their resettlement locations has not been disclosed, videos showing residents protesting against leaving their ancestral homes have circulated widely on social media.

Overall, the megaproject has brought with it a new set of challenges. Constructing such a massive facility in steep, narrow, and logistically difficult terrain is one issue; opposition from neighboring countries and local populations is another. International criticism continues to mount.

Nevertheless, the Chinese authorities are not known for publicly justifying their decisions. Having launched the project, Beijing appears determined to pursue its goals regardless of objections. If completed, the project could strain relations with India, though China’s foreign policy has so far avoided overt aggression. As such, there remains cautious hope that consensus with neighboring countries can still be reached regarding the construction of the hydropower plant.