Chiny w hydropolityce regionu rzeki Mekong
China and Hydropolitics of the Mekong River Basin

Summary/Abstract: The Mekong is a transboundary river chich runs through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Its basin, where more than 70 mln people live, creates the lar gest inland fishery and comprises a main skurce of fresh water, also used in agriculture. But the most tempting is its hydropower potential which has been developed especially by China. The growing number of hydropower plants In the upper stretch poses a real threat for Lower Mekong basin countries. This article examines the role of China in the Mekong region and analyzes relations over the water resources between the Middle Kingdom and other riparian states. Paper indicates the main purposes of China’s hydropolitics of the Mekong river basin, its hydropolitical strategy towards this region and gives an answer whether China wants to cooperate or develop its hydropower potential regardless of consequences for Indochinese states and possible conflicts.

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