The Business Times
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China changes tack on water politics

Long a source of tension with its neighbours, China’s transboundary rivers are opening opportunities for regional cooperation

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    • The 4,180-km Mekong River rises on the Tibetan plateau and flows through China and along the Myanmar-Laos and Laos-Thailand borders before passing through Cambodia and southern Vietnam into the South China Sea.
    • The 4,180-km Mekong River rises on the Tibetan plateau and flows through China and along the Myanmar-Laos and Laos-Thailand borders before passing through Cambodia and southern Vietnam into the South China Sea. PHOTO: MUSTAFA HASSAN AND ISMAIL JASMAN

    Fengshi Wu

    Published Thu, Mar 28, 2024 · 05:00 AM

    SIXTEEN major rivers originate in China that supply fresh water to nearly three billion people in 14 Asian countries – more than a third of the world’s population.

    As “Asia’s water tower”, China has often been depicted as the upstream bully when it comes to water politics – taking what it needs for itself with little consideration for its downstream neighbours.

    But with the growing connection between sustainable development and regional stability, China has an opportunity to use transboundary water management as a springboard for regional peace and cooperation.

    ChinaWaterMekong region

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