China has begun construction on what will be the world's largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River in Tibet, a $167 billion project aimed at boosting clean energy and stimulating its slowing economy. While Beijing touts the dam as a green initiative and a matter of national sovereignty, the move has alarmed downstream neighbors India and Bangladesh, who fear potential impacts on water flow, agriculture, and local communities. Environmentalists and human rights advocates have also raised concerns about biodiversity loss, forced relocations, and the lack of transparent consultation. The project is expected to drive significant demand in construction and hydro-equipment sectors, and could reshape regional geopolitics and water security. Despite reassurances from China that downstream effects will be minimal, the dam has become a flashpoint in regional relations and a symbol of the complex balance between development, environment, and diplomacy.
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