ISN Security Watch
July 18, 2006

China’s plans for cross-border hydro expansion create tension with Central Asia and Russia.

Environmentalists in Central Asia and Russia are concerned about China’s use of water from the Ili and Irtysh rivers. Both rivers originate in China and flow into Kazakhstan, while the Irtysh continues on into Russia. China has been using more of the water as the population grows in China’s western provinces. Officials in Beijing say they plan to divert more water from both rivers to develop the oil industry in western China. The plan seems to be fueling tension between the two countries. Environmentalists warn that China’s overuse of the river water may lead to an ecological catastrophe for Kazakhstan.