China’s USD 167 Billion Investment in Tibet: Development Project or More Control Over the Area?

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for quicker work on big projects in Tibet, including China’s massive 1.2 trillion yuan ($167 billion) dam. The plan is part of Beijing’s effort to grow the region’s economy.

According to state media Xinhua, Xi said projects like the Yarlung Tsangpo hydropower dam and the Sichuan-Tibet railway should move forward with “strength, order and efficiency.” While visiting Lhasa on Wednesday, he also asked officials to support farming, clean energy, and tourism by linking culture with economic growth.

Yarlung Tsangpo Dam: A Mega Project by China in Tibet

The Yarlung Tsangpo dam is expected to become one of the largest construction projects ever.

It will use 60 times more cement than the Hoover Dam and more steel than 116 Empire State Buildings. Work on the dam started last month and will likely take at least ten years to finish. For Xi, the project is not just about the economy, it is also a way to push growth, tighten control over Tibet, and show China’s power to the world.

Xi’s trip shows how important Tibet is to Beijing. It is the first time a Chinese president has led a central government team there. On Thursday, he will also join an event in Lhasa marking 60 years since the region was founded.

China Seeks Robust Social Order in Tibet

During his visit, Xi said Tibet’s future depends on keeping political stability, social order, ethnic unity, and religious harmony.

He called for a stronger “sense of community” across China. But many rights groups have criticized Beijing’s policies in Tibet, saying restrictions on religion and society are similar to those in Xinjiang.

Earlier, at the 25th EU-China Summit held in Beijing in July, the European Union expressed strong objections regarding the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, and European Council President Antonio Costa were present during the Summit.

Also Read: European Union Confronts China On Alleged Human Rights Abuses in Tibet