China’s southbound transboundary river basins: a case of asymmetry

Abstract

An overview is presented of the contemporary societal and environmental development situation in the six major transboundary river basins that drain south from China: the Red River, Mekong, Salween, Irrawaddy, Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Indus. The overall societal and environmental vulnerability of the basins is assessed using multidimensional river basin vulnerability analysis. The analysis shows that while China has a fairly low level of vulnerability in these basins, its downstream influence is substantial. This setting offers a plethora of opportunities for transboundary cooperation and calls for a high level of responsibility from the upstream riparian countries.

Keywords:

• transboundary river basin
• socio-economy
• environment
• vulnerability
• water resources
• Asia
• China

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the members of the Water and Development Research Group for support, insightful comments and fruitful discussions.