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26 November 2014

Keeping India's interests in mind, says China on Brahmaputra dams

November 24, 2014

China said on Monday that its projects on the Brahmaputra river will not have any negative impact on flood management and ecology of downstream areas, as Beijing was "bearing in mind" Indian concerns and the "bigger picture" of its relations with India as it goes forward with projects.

On Sunday, China put into operation the first section of its 510 MW hydropower project at Zangmu, in Tibet - its first major dam on the middle reaches of the Brahmaputra, or Yarlung Zangbo as it is known in China. Also read: China puts first Brahmaputra dam into operation

China last year also gave the go-ahead for three other hydropower projects, which Beijing says are run of the river dams that will not divert the river's flow.

China said on Monday it was keeping "close communication" with India on the projects, indicating that the issue had figured in recent talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during the latter's visit to India in September.

"The cooperation and communication we have [with India on transboundary rivers] is sound, and we are bearing in mind the bigger picture of the China-India good relationship," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular press briefing.

"We have been providing hydrological data and emergency management to the Indian side, which has played an important role in flood prevention and disaster relief of downstream areas. The facts have shown that our assistance in these areas is effective, and the channels are smooth."

Hua added that "during President Xi's visit to India both sides issued a joint statement in which India thanked China for the provision of hydrological data and assistance in emergency handling."

She said both sides were using a joint expert-level meeting mechanism to "enhance cooperation on transboundary rivers", following an agreement signed in 2013 when then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Beijing. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the government would "take full account of concerns of downstream areas". "The hydropower stations China has built will not affect flood prevention and ecological systems of downstream areas," Hua said.

China said last year it would "vigorously" push hydropower generation projects to tap the fast-flowing Brahmaputra's upper and middle reaches, and address its energy shortfall in Tibet. Hydropower groups have proposed as many as 28 projects. So far, only four have been given approval.

While Beijing says it is not going ahead with any diversion projects which would have a greater impact on downstream areas, green groups have also raised concerns on the impact that large hydropower dams may have on the Tibetan plateau's ecosystem.

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