Environmental Flashpoint: Why Mekong River Damming is the New Front in South China Sea Tensions
Abstract
Since 1995, China has built or funded 15 hydropower dams on the Mekong River that are creating devastating environmental and socio-economic implications to security in the region. These series of dams are a growing source of tension between the riparian countries of the Greater Mekong Sub region and China due to the connection between controlled water flow and impacts to fisheries in the Mekong Basin. ASEAN, supported by the U.S. Department of State, must urgently act to contain environmental damage to the Mekong River ecosystem, create unified efforts to protect commercial interests, and combat Chinese economic coercion. Failure to take substantive action by state actors or intergovernmental organizations, such as ASEAN, will result in permanent environmental damage, undoubtedly changing riparian society in the subregion. Damming of the Mekong River and the associated interconnected implications is the new front in regional tensions and a potential flashpoint between the U.S. and China. This paper provides nine recommended actions that ASEAN and the U.S. should consider, taking a more aggressive but non-confrontational stand against China's devastating policies and protect themselves against further degradation of basic human needs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 27, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1176646
Entities
People
- Corey Woods
Organizations
- Naval War College