Latest news with #InternationalCampaignForTibet
Japan Times
21-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
China starts construction on world's largest hydropower dam in Tibet
China's Premier Li Qiang announced the start of construction on what will be the world's largest hydropower dam, located on the eastern rim of the Tibetan plateau and estimated to cost around $170 billion, the official Xinhua news agency said. The project is part of China's push to expand renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions. Consisting of five cascade hydropower stations, the dam will be located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River and could affect millions downstream in India and Bangladesh. Li described the hydropower project as a "project of the century" and said special emphasis "must be placed on ecological conservation to prevent environmental damage", Xinhua said in its report on Saturday. Authorities have not indicated how many people the Tibet project would displace and how it would affect the local ecosystem, one of the richest and most diverse on the plateau. But according to Chinese officials, hydropower projects in Tibet will not have a major impact on the environment or on downstream water supplies. India and Bangladesh have nevertheless raised concerns about the dam. NGOs including the International Campaign for Tibet say the dam will irreversibly harm the Tibetan plateau and that millions of people downstream will face severe livelihood disruptions. The dam is estimated to have a capacity of 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and is expected to help meet local energy demand in Tibet and the rest of China. The project will play a major role in meeting China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, stimulate related industries such as engineering and create jobs in Tibet, Xinhua said in December when the project was first announced. A section of the Yarlung Zangbo falls a dramatic 2,000 meters within a short span of 50 km, offering huge hydropower potential. The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra river as it leaves Tibet and flows south into India's Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states and finally into Bangladesh. China has already started hydropower generation on the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo, which flows from the west to the east of Tibet.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
China starts construction on world's largest hydropower dam in Tibet
HONG KONG (Reuters) -China's Premier Li Qiang announced the start of construction on what will be the world's largest hydropower dam, located on the eastern rim of the Tibetan plateau and estimated to cost around $170 billion, the official Xinhua news agency said. The project is part of China's push to expand renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions. Consisting of five cascade hydropower stations, the dam will be located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River and could affect millions downstream in India and Bangladesh. Li described the hydropower project as a "project of the century" and said special emphasis "must be placed on ecological conservation to prevent environmental damage", Xinhua said in its report on Saturday. Authorities have not indicated how many people the Tibet project would displace and how it would affect the local ecosystem, one of the richest and most diverse on the plateau. But according to Chinese officials, hydropower projects in Tibet will not have a major impact on the environment or on downstream water supplies. India and Bangladesh have nevertheless raised concerns about the dam. NGOs including the International Campaign for Tibet say the dam will irreversibly harm the Tibetan plateau and that millions of people downstream will face severe livelihood disruptions. The dam is estimated to have a capacity of 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and is expected to help meet local energy demand in Tibet and the rest of China. The project will play a major role in meeting China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, stimulate related industries such as engineering, and create jobs in Tibet, Xinhua said in December when the project was first announced. A section of the Yarlung Zangbo falls a dramatic 2,000 metres (6,561 feet) within a short span of 50 km (31 miles), offering huge hydropower potential. The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra river as it leaves Tibet and flows south into India's Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states and finally into Bangladesh. China has already started hydropower generation on the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo, which flows from the west to the east of Tibet.
Arab News
21-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
China starts construction on world's largest hydropower dam in Tibet
HONG KONG: China's Premier Li Qiang announced the start of construction on what will be the world's largest hydropower dam, located on the eastern rim of the Tibetan plateau and estimated to cost around $170 billion, the official Xinhua news agency said. The project is part of China's push to expand renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions. Consisting of five cascade hydropower stations, the dam will be located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River and could affect millions downstream in India and Bangladesh. Li described the hydropower project as a 'project of the century' and said special emphasis 'must be placed on ecological conservation to prevent environmental damage,' Xinhua said in its report on Saturday. Authorities have not indicated how many people the Tibet project would displace and how it would affect the local ecosystem, one of the richest and most diverse on the plateau. But according to Chinese officials, hydropower projects in Tibet will not have a major impact on the environment or on downstream water supplies. India and Bangladesh have nevertheless raised concerns about the dam. NGOs including the International Campaign for Tibet say the dam will irreversibly harm the Tibetan plateau and that millions of people downstream will face severe livelihood disruptions. The dam is estimated to have a capacity of 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and is expected to help meet local energy demand in Tibet and the rest of China. The project will play a major role in meeting China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, stimulate related industries such as engineering, and create jobs in Tibet, Xinhua said in December when the project was first announced. A section of the Yarlung Zangbo falls a dramatic 2,000 meters (6,561 feet) within a short span of 50 km (31 miles), offering huge hydropower potential. The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra river as it leaves Tibet and flows south into India's Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states and finally into Bangladesh. China has already started hydropower generation on the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo, which flows from the west to the east of Tibet.
Reuters
21-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
China starts construction on world's largest hydropower dam in Tibet
HONG KONG, July 21 (Reuters) - China's Premier Li Qiang announced the start of construction on what will be the world's largest hydropower dam, located on the eastern rim of the Tibetan plateau and estimated to cost around $170 billion, the official Xinhua news agency said. The project is part of China's push to expand renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions. Consisting of five cascade hydropower stations, the dam will be located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River and could affect millions downstream in India and Bangladesh. Li described the hydropower project as a "project of the century" and said special emphasis "must be placed on ecological conservation to prevent environmental damage", Xinhua said in its report on Saturday. Authorities have not indicated how many people the Tibet project would displace and how it would affect the local ecosystem, one of the richest and most diverse on the plateau. But according to Chinese officials, hydropower projects in Tibet will not have a major impact on the environment or on downstream water supplies. India and Bangladesh have nevertheless raised concerns about the dam. NGOs including the International Campaign for Tibet say the dam will irreversibly harm the Tibetan plateau and that millions of people downstream will face severe livelihood disruptions. The dam is estimated to have a capacity of 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and is expected to help meet local energy demand in Tibet and the rest of China. The project will play a major role in meeting China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, stimulate related industries such as engineering, and create jobs in Tibet, Xinhua said in December when the project was first announced. A section of the Yarlung Zangbo falls a dramatic 2,000 metres (6,561 feet) within a short span of 50 km (31 miles), offering huge hydropower potential. The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra river as it leaves Tibet and flows south into India's Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states and finally into Bangladesh. China has already started hydropower generation on the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo, which flows from the west to the east of Tibet.
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Richard Gere kisses the hand of the Dalai Lama as Hollywood legend and devout buddhist celebrates the spiritual leader's 90th birthday in India
Richard Gere was among thousands of Buddhist followers on Sunday as the Dalai Lama celebrated his 90th birthday in India. Describing himself a "simple Buddhist monk" who usually didn't celebrate birthdays, the Dalai Lama celebrated Sunday's milestone by praying for peace after China insisted it would have the final say on who succeeded the Tibetan spiritual leader. Gere, a practicing buddhist since 1978, was seen reverently kissing the spiritual leader's hand at the event, held at Dharamshala - headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile. The Hollywood star, 75, best known for his starring roles in An Officer And A Gentleman and Pretty Woman, had previously taken to the podium, where he declared it a 'joyous, joyous day' to 'celebrate this extraordinary life'. Gere has been a regular visitor to Dharamshala for decades and is a staunch advocate of the Tibetan Independence Movement, a non-profit organisation that supports the independence of Tibet from the People's Republic Of China. He is also co-founder of cultural and educational non-profit Tibet House US, based in New York City, and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Campaign for Tibet. The actor previously claimed his outspoken criticism of China and his Tibetan activism had scared off the big studios and affected him taking mainstream roles in Hollywood. 'There are definitely movies that I can't be in because the Chinese will say, "Not with him,"' he told the Hollywood Reporter in 2017. 'I recently had an episode where someone said they could not finance a film with me because it would upset the Chinese.' Gere was even banned from the Academy Awards in 1993, after he spoke out about China's occupation of Tibet and its 'horrendous, horrendous human rights situation' when he was invited to present the award for best art direction. That did not stop him from becoming an outspoken critic of China's regime and Gere has gone onto create two foundations, the Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet and The Gere Foundation in New York. Gere, who has a long standing friendship with the Dalai Lama, is banned for life from China. The actor claims he was not bothered by the Academy ban, saying: 'I didn't have to put on a tuxedo again. I was fine with that.' On Sunday, Gere was among red-robed monks as they chanted at the Himalayan hilltop forested temples in India, home to the Dalai Lama since he and thousands of other Tibetans fled Chinese troops who crushed an uprising in their capital Lhasa in 1959. 'I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don't normally engage in birthday celebrations,' the Dalai Lama said in a message, thanking those marking it with him for using the opportunity "to cultivate peace of mind and compassion". Dressed in traditional robes and a flowing yellow wrap, he walked with the aid of two monks while flashing his trademark beaming smile to thousands of followers. Beijing condemns the Nobel Peace Prize winner - who has led a lifelong campaign for greater autonomy for Tibet, a vast high-altitude plateau - as a rebel and separatist. Alongside the celebrations, however, is the worry for Tibetans in exile that China will name its successor to bolster control over the territory it poured troops into in 1950 and has ruled ever since. That raises the likelihood of rival challengers to the post; one by self-declared atheist Beijing, the other by the Dalai Lama's office based in neighbouring India, a regional rival of China. The celebrations on Sunday are the culmination of days of long-life prayers for Tenzin Gyatso, who followers believe is the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, a man whose moral teachings and idiosyncratic humour have made him one of the world's most popular religious leaders. 'While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone,' he said in his birthday message. 'Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place.' In a speech to followers, the Dalai Lama said his practice of Buddhism meant he had dedicated his life towards seeking compassion. 'I'm now 90 and... when I reflect on my life, I see that I have not wasted my life at all', he said, speaking in Tibetan. 'I would not have regrets at the time of my death; rather I would be able to die very peacefully.' The celebrations also included his key announcement that, after being inundated with messages of support from fellow Tibetans both inside and in exile, the spiritual institution will continue after his death. The ceremony ended with the Dalai Lama eating a slice of cake and thousands singing "happy birthday".
