Key points
- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has launched construction of the mega-dam project
- Li describes the hydropower project as a “project of the century”
- The construction will involve five hydropower stations
- The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra river as it leaves Tibet
ISLAMABAD: Chinese Premier Li Qiang launched construction of a mega-dam project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet on Saturday, with a total planned investment of 1.2 trillion yuan ($167 billion), according to Bloomberg.
Bloomberg cited Xinhua news agency as saying a new company called China Yajiang Group was also officially unveiled on Saturday.
It will be responsible for constructing the hydro project, consisting of five cascade dams and located in the city of Nyingchi in Tibet.
The massive economic stimulus and boost to clean power from a 1.2 trillion yuan ($167 billion) mega-dam in Tibet has proven alluring enough for Chinese leaders to set aside concerns about potential damage to biodiversity and the impact on relations with India, Bloomberg reported.
According to Reuters, the Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra river as it leaves Tibet and flows south into India’s Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states.
Consisting of five cascade hydropower stations, the dam will be located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River and could affect millions downstream in India.
Karma flows
An analyst Mansoor Ahmed Qureshi, while commenting on the development posted on X, “India mocked Pakistan over water now Beijing holds the tap. Karma flows”.
He added, “Weeks ago, Victor Gao warned India: “Don’t block the flow you can’t control. You’re midstream and upstream always sets the rules.”
China just started building a ¥1.2 trillion dam on the Brahmaputra’s source. 💧
India mocked Pakistan over water now Beijing holds the tap. Karma flows.Weeks ago, Victor Gao warned India:
“Don’t block the flow you can’t control. You’re midstream and upstream always sets the… pic.twitter.com/8RIj62gS2f
— Mansoor Ahmed Qureshi (@MansurQr) July 19, 2025
The construction will involve five hydropower stations, with an estimated investment of 1.2 trillion yuan (around $167 billion), according to Xinhua.
Reuters reported that Li described the hydropower project as a “project of the century” and said special emphasis “must be placed on ecological conservation to prevent environmental damage”.
