1. HOW CHINA’S MEDIA VIEWS TRANSBOUNDARY RIVERS
Presentation by: -
BIJOY DAS, Research Associate
Institute for Defence Studies & Analyses, New Delhi
IDSA-PRIO Conference 2011; 30 Nov 2011; New Delhi

2. Chinese Media on Water
Alive to Climate Change, Non-traditional Security Threat, Domestic Compulsions, Pollution Hazards
Op-Ed “Water Dispute: A Visible New Variable for Neighbourhood Security”; Huaxia Times; 12 Sep 2011
Sums up the prevailing discourse in Chinese media on Transboundary Rivers (TBR)

3. China – the Neighbours’ Target
Apart from India, Bangladesh, SIX of China’s neighbours have objected to China’s actions
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam on China’s projects in the upper reaches of Mekong River (Langcang in Chinese)
Russia, Kazakhstan have objected on Chinese actions on Irtysh River
Kazakhstan has objected on Ili River too

4. Chinese Perception Neighbour’s envy – unparalleled economic growth
Neighbours worry of sudden trans-boundary environmental problems because of China
Neighbours’ historical/strategic suspicion + environmental concerns –> perception of Chinese containment policy; China using flood as weapon
Reaction cooler compared to South China Sea

5. Water Resources: A Thorn for China’s Neighbourhood Policy?
Definite adverse impact on China’s neighbourhood diplomacy
“China using TBR’s as effective tool to contain South/East Asia”
Feeding the China Threat theory
May manifest into perceptions/dealings of neighbouring peoples with China (e.g. Mekong killing of Chinese fishermen by Thai naval personnel etc.)
Contd…

6. Water: A Thorn for China?
May impact other countries’ assessment of China
Shall damage image needed for China’s “Peaceful Rise”
May further stoke latent disputes
Neighbours may create obstacles for China
In India national security concerns may rise media –> academia –> government
Contd…

7. Water: A Thorn for China?
Chinese view of Indian assessment: Himalayan waters is a new flashpoint –> Indian military build up along border to strike inside China
US, Japan trying to contain China using water
Mekong – opportunity for US to return to Asia
US media, think tanks urging for stand on Mekong before it becomes “China’s River”
US funds, help to Mekong River countries
Japan trying for more influence in SE Asia vis-à-vis China

8. Challenges for China Huge gap between China and neighbours
Historical perceptions, territorial disputes
Presence of external powers like US, Japan
Multilateral cooperation difficult
Highly fragmented Chinese bureaucracy on water management

9. Opportunities for China
Potential for cooperation on non-traditional security risk like TBR’s
Promote bilateral cooperation emulating US model of economic & infrastructure aid
Two-pronged approach of checking US influence and pushing regional growth
Strengthen economic ties, political trust & regional cooperation

10. Media Recommendations
Set up bilateral/multilateral mechanism to discuss TBR’s, promote cooperation, resolve disputes, exchange data/information
Joint development and management of water resources with lower riparians
Set up a single Chinese body to administer TBR’s

11. China’s Projects, Plans in Tibet
China Water Resources News; 05 Aug 2011; Interview of Mr. Pema Wangdui, Director of Department of Water Resources, Tibet Autonomous Region, PR China
Domestic compulsions: economic development & political objective, power generation/supply, water provision, disaster management, water conservancy

12. Tibet’s Water Works: Background
China sets the agenda through its No. 1 Document of 2011 on 29 Jan 2011
“DECISION OF THE PARTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE & STATE COUNCIL ON ACCELERATING WATER CONSERVANCY REFORMS & GROWTH” （中共中央，国务院关于加快水利改革发展的决定）
Mandatory investment for Water Conservancy

13. Tibet: Policies for Water Conservancy
15% of Land Transfer proceeds to be reinvested for water conservancy projects (as against 10% countrywide)
China likely to reinvest $ billion for water related projects in 2011; $ 627 billion over next 10 years

14. Tibet: Targets
Drinking Water: 2013 to ensure supply to most Tibetan farmers/herders
Improve effective irrigation from 0.36 to 0.4 during 12th Five Year Plan ( )
Add 70MW by 2013 through Small Scale Hydropower Plants
Cover 100% of Tibetan small towns and 90% of population by hydropower
Contd…

15. Tibet: Targets Carry out works on 9 major rivers including Brahmaputra
Anti-flood measures on 90 medium/small rivers ( sq km course area)
Renovate 23 shrinking small reservoirs
Targets for Rational Distribution & Efficient Use of water by 2020
Area development plans e.g. 一江两河 between Brahmaputra, Nianchu and Lhasa rivers.

16. Tibet: Organisational Measures
Set up organisational system for water management wef 2013
Capacity building through various types of manpower
Leadership accountability at 3 local grassroots levels
Regularise hydro-infrastructure market
Create a reserve fund; regularise budgeting

17. INFERENCE Tibet to undergo major water works till 2020
Many works may entail storage & diversion
South to North Water Diversion delayed but in progress
Information on such works not being shared
Existence of Chinese constituency for bilateral, multilateral consultation and exchanges on TBRs
Lower riparians should draw China to multilateral platforms to cooperate on TBRs
Parallely sensitize Chinese netizens, think-tanks, academia, NGOs etc. on lower riparians’ concerns