China has conducted rigorous scientific assessment for the construction of a hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday.
Guo was requested to comment on the reports that India expressed its concern about China's development of its huge hydro dam in the Yarlung Zangbo River.
"On the hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, China has made its position clear. Let me reiterate that the decision to build the project was made after rigorous scientific evaluation and the project will not have a negative impact on the ecological environment, geological conditions and the rights and interests related to water resources of downstream countries. Rather, it will, to some extent, help with their disaster prevention and reduction and climate response," said Guo.
The Chinese government approved the project's construction in late December 2024. It is a safe project that prioritizes ecological protection, according to an official statement.
The hydropower project is a green project aimed at promoting low-carbon development. The project is expected to boost local people's livelihood and prosperity in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, the statement said.
Hydropower project on Yarlung Zangbo River to benefit downstream nations: spokesman
People in the Republic of the Congo say they are looking forward to expanding cooperation with China to more fields including medicine.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is going to visit the central African country on Tuesday, as part of his four-nation tour of Africa.
Officials said that the two sides will implement some of the programs that were agreed upon at last year's Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing.
Economic relations between China and the Republic of the Congo date back to the 1960s.
Over the years, China has built factories, roads and bridges that have helped transform the country's agriculture-based economy into a semi-industrialized one.
Crude oil, copper and wood have been the Republic of the Congo's major exports to China, according to global trade data.
Congolese people hope their government can work to strengthen relations with one of the country's most important partners. In addition to infrastructure, people say some of the other areas that China and the Republic of the Congo plan to develop include health, agriculture and security.
"For me I think cooperation should extend to the healthcare sector, as we know that Chinese are good at medicine," said Ragma Nganga, a university student in Brazzaville.
"Cooperation between China and Congo has been remarkable especially in infrastructure projects. Chinese have built many roads," said Josue Mifoundou, a local digital media practitioner.
In 2018, China and the Republic of the Congo signed a memorandum of understanding on projects under the Belt and Road Initiative - China's flagship infrastructure initiative that's helping link Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa to China through ports, roads and railways.
Congolese people anticipate expanded cooperation with China
