The Upstream Superpower: China’s International Rivers

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

“…The combination of the significance of the river for a country and the country's location also partly translates into the interest of the country in transboundary cooperation. At first glance, shared basins should rank high on China's agenda, as onethird of the country's land lies in transboundary basins (Nickum, 2008). However, amongst many reasons identified by Nickum (2008), the lack of salience of international river basins in China's decision making can be partially explained by geography.…”

“…At first glance, shared basins should rank high on China's agenda, as onethird of the country's land lies in transboundary basins (Nickum, 2008). However, amongst many reasons identified by Nickum (2008), the lack of salience of international river basins in China's decision making can be partially explained by geography. Firstly, nearly three-quarters of China's runoff crosses no international borders.…”

Editors’ Introduction

“…China's upstream geographical location on so many transboundary waters with such a diverse collection of riparian neighbours faces the 'upstream dilemma' on a number of fronts. Both national and international issues arise (Nickum, 2008). At home it must cope with domestic agendas.…”

“…Local stakeholders provide opportunities for forging new bridges for transboundary water cooperation through joining forces to tackle common problems. Given China's diverse ethnic populations, particularly in border regions, this approach might offer some new insights in the transboundary water context (Nickum, 2008).…”

Exploring China's transboundary water treaty practice through the prism of the UN Watercourses Convention

“…Continued growth will place increased demands on the 40 major transboundary watercourses which it shares with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Vietnam. More than two-thirds of China's most important transboundary rivers originate in China, which is upstream on most of its shared international watercourses ( Nickum, 2008;Ying & Hou, 2012).…”