China’s Dam Builders: their role in transboundary river management in Southeast Asia

Main author: Urban, Frauke
Other authors: Siciliano, Giuseppina
Nordensvard, Johan
Format: Journal Article           
Online access: Click here to view record


Summary: This article investigates China’s role as the world’s largest builder of and investor in large dams, focussing on the Greater Mekong Sub-Region in South-East Asia. It addresses the role Chinese actors play in dam-building as well as the environmental, social, economic and political implications by drawing on case studies from Cambodia and Vietnam. The article finds that China’s dam-building is perceived very differently in different countries of South-East Asia. In Cambodia, the dams in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region are considered instruments of economic growth and development, whereas downstream in Vietnam the dams are seen as potentially undermining national growth, development and security.