China kicks off controversial mega-dam project in Tibet

China has officially started construction on a $167 billion mega-dam project on the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet. Premier Li Qiang announced the development, which involves five cascade dams and aims to boost economic growth. The power generated will mainly be used outside of Tibet.

This project could create tensions with India, as the river flows through Arunachal Pradesh and is crucial for one of India’s major rivers. Environmentalists are concerned about the dam's impact on the local ecosystem, especially given the river’s steep drop in elevation in the area.