China Plans Massive Dam Near Disputed Border With India

MEDONG, CHINA — China plans to build up to 60 gigawatts of hydropower capacity on the Yarlung Zangbo River, better known as the Brahmaputra.

The hydropower project, which would dwarf the output of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River, is part of China's 14th Five-Year Plan.

Details of the project were first announced in Chinese state media.

The mega dam would be constructed in Tibet on the "Great Bend" in the Brahmaputra, where water can drop up to 2,000 meters in the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon.

Citing officials, China's state-run Global Times reports the hydropower station would help "maintain water resources and domestic security" — and could generate income of $3 billion annually for Tibet.