(April 5, 2010) In recent years China has become a regional leader in Southeast Asia for the financing of major infrastructure projects, particularly dams—overtaking traditional sources like the World Bank. But China is quickly learning that the rules of investment outside its borders are drastically different than those within it. This report by Wu Aoqi, a researcher based in Beijing, analyzes a number of problems facing both Chinese firms and the central government as they pursue a “going out” policy.
China to Lend Africa $10 Billion
(November 9, 2009) China’s prime minister said his country will give $10 billion in loans to African countries without any political strings attached.
Sinohydro seeks MIGA insurance for Mekong dams
(October 29, 2008) Sinohydro, the company that helped build China’s massive Three Gorges dam, has requested political risk insurance from the World Bank’s investment guarantee agency (MIGA) for the Nam Ngum 5 hydro project it is building in neighbouring Lao PDR.
Made by China: Damming the world’s rivers
(January 15, 2008) In the past decade, companies and banks in China have greatly expanded their involvement in building and financing dams overseas. The cumulative social and environmental impacts of these projects is huge. This map shows just some of the proposed and ongoing dams that Chinese financiers and companies are involved in.
China: New dam builder for the world
(December 28, 2007) China has embarked on a push to export its dam-building know-how to developing countries—even as it contends with environmental damage and social upheaval at home from the massive Three Gorges Dam.
China firm to build Myanmar hydro-power plants
(May 5, 2007) A Chinese firm will help military-run Myanmar build seven hydro-electric plants with combined power capacity likely to be the biggest in the Southeast Asian country, state media said on Saturday.
Insist on impact assessments
(October 15, 2006) Interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has told each newly appointed minister to look into the projects initiated by the previous government and determine whether or not to proceed. In all likelihood there will be many calls for Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand to review the involvement of Egat in a joint venture with the Sinohydro Corporation, a Chinese state-run enterprise, to build a 1,000 megawatt hydroelectric dam at Hutgyi, 50 kilometres inside Burma.
Sinohydro ‘downgraded’ over accident record
(August 31, 2006) Sinohydro, the Chinese company set to build a billion-dollar dam on the Salween River in Burma in partnership with the Thai utility EGAT, has been criticized in an annual performance review of state-owned enterprises for unspecified "safety or environmental pollution accidents."
Hydropower firm taps overseas market
(February 21, 2006) China National Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Corp (Sinohydro), China’s largest hydropower construction company, picked up fat gains from the overseas market last year, a company official said.
Chinese company chosen to help build huge dam in Ethiopia
(January 10, 2006) China has won a bid to help construct a dam on a Nile River tributary that will be Africa’s largest hydroelectric project and 10 metres taller than the Three Gorges dam.
Dirty dam draws dirty smelters
(March 19, 2002) China has been involved in building the Bakun dam in Malaysia’s eastern Sarawak state, and is now eyeing the problem-riddled project’s surplus electricity to run an energy-hungry and polluting aluminum-smelting operation.
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