The National People’s Congress (NPC) adopted the 14th Five-Year Plan on the last day of its six-day session and approved a development blueprint containing 60 proposals to accelerate China’s development.
China’s parliament on Thursday adopted the 14th Five-Year Plan, a mega blueprint costing billions of dollars, including the controversial hydropower project on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, close to the Arunachal Pradesh border, to which India has raised concerns.
The National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s legislature consisting of more than 2,000 members, mostly drawn from the ruling Communist Party, the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development (2021-2025) and the long run through the year 2035 Period objectives adopted. Official media reported that on Thursday, the last day of its six-day session.
Attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and other senior leaders, the NPC approved a development blueprint that includes 60 proposals to accelerate China’s development. It was passed by the Communist Party of China (CPC) last year.
The 14th Five-Year Plan included building a dam on the lower reaches of the Brahmaputra River, to which India and Bangladesh, the opposition states, had raised concerns. China alleviated such concerns, saying it would take their interests into consideration.
As a lowland state with considerable established user rights for waters of cross-border rivers, the Indian government has consistently conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities and urged them to ensure that the interests of the downstream states Do not harm any activities in upstream areas.
Che Dulha, the head of the Deputy Communist Party of the Tibet Autonomous Region, said during the NPC session that officials “should try to start construction (of the dam) this year.”
“Comprehensive planning and environmental impact assessment for the project should be approved as soon as possible on the basis of Hong Kong on the occasion of the NPC session last Saturday” South China Morning Post Referring to a press release of the provincial government in Tibet.
Mr. Che also said that natural gas exploration in northern Tibet should be focused on the country’s energy development goals over the next five years.
The plan envisages building a dam in Meadowg County, where the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon is located. Medog is the last county in Tibet bordering Arunachal Pradesh.
The plan was first revealed at the end of last year by Yan Xihyong, chairman of China’s Power Construction Corp or PowerChina.
He said China would implement hydroelectric exploitation in the drift area of the Yarlung Zangbo River (Tibetan name for the Brahmaputra) and this was clearly put forward in the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan and proposals to build its long-term goals by 2035. CPC Central Committee.
“Yan is not a historic opportunity for China’s hydroelectric industry.” Mr. Yan was called by the official media at a conference to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Society of China. Hydropower Engineering.
China has already operated the largest $ 1.5 billion Zangmu Hydropower Station in Tibet in 2015.
India and China have established an expert level mechanism (ELM) in 2006 to discuss various issues related to trans-border rivers.
Under the existing bilateral MoU, China provides hydrological information of the Brahmaputra River and Sutlej River to India during the flood season.
Under the arrangement, China provides flood season data of the Brahmaputra River between May 15 and October 15 every year.
Commenting on the proposal for the construction of the dam, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said in a media briefing in Beijing on December 3 last year that “hydropower development in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River is a legitimate right for China.” When it comes to the use and development of rivers across the border, China always acts responsibly, ”she said.
“We have a policy of development and conservation and all projects will run through science-based planning and evaluation giving full consideration to impact the interests of downstream and downstream areas,” Ms Hua said.
“Yarlung Zangbo’s low reach development is in the early stages of planning and evaluation. There is no need to read too much into it, ”she said.
“For a long time, China, India and Bangladesh have collaborated well in sharing hydrological information, flood and disaster reduction and contingency management. We will continue to communicate through existing channels, ”she said.
Asked if China would discuss the future of action with India and Bangladesh, he said, “In fact, three countries, China, India and Bangladesh, have long shared hydrological information, flood prevention and disaster reduction.” In close communication. Emergency Management. ”
“Communication will remain good as China, India, Bangladesh and other related countries go ahead. There is no need to worry about this matter, ”she said.
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