China's New Giant Project Stirs Global Reactions Over Cyber Tensions and EU Summit Strains
In a week of activity, China has started constructing the world's largest hydropower dam in Tibet, a national pride project Beijing asserts. The announcement has, however, triggered wide environmental and geopolitical concerns, especially from neighboring countries along the transboundary river system such as India and Bangladesh.
At the same time, a July 24 top-level China-EU summit in Beijing ended with little victory, as leaders clashed over trade deficits, human rights issues, and increased mistrust driven by allegations last week that Chinese state-sponsored hackers launched cyberattacks.
China Opens World's Largest Hydropower Dam in Tibet
The megadam is being built on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, also known as the Brahmaputra downstream, in Tibet's Medog County. Upon completion, the structure will be set to surpass the Three Gorges Dam and generate more than 70 gigawatts of electricity, enough for lighting up millions of homes.
China has marketed the project as a milestone toward Chinese renewable energy ambitions. Critics say the move compromises water security for South Asia, increases the risk of earthquakes in a seismically active region and impacts sensitive ecosystems.
"This is not hydropower—it's geopolitics and freshwater control," said an Indian Ministry of External Affairs water security expert.
External link: The Guardian - China begins construction of world's largest hydropower dam
EU-China Summit Ends in Diplomatic Chill
Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa on July 24 in Beijing. The meeting was meant to facilitate cooperation and thawing of trade tensions, but negotiations turned toxic as the EU pressed China aggressively on market access, support for Russia, and abuses in Xinjiang's human rights.
European leaders complained about China's continued subsidies to state firms and its alleged economic coercion. The EU delegation also made cybersecurity allegations, referencing recent intelligence pointing the finger at Chinese hackers in U.S. and European nuclear plant breaches.
"We remain committed to dialogue, but our security and distortion of trade concerns remain unsolved," von der Leyen said.
External link: Washington Post - EU-China tensions flare during summit
Cybersecurity Allegations Fuel Pressure on Beijing
Adding fuel to diplomatic fire, Microsoft revealed that a China-backed cybercrime gang hacked the U.S. Department of Energy, including systems belonging to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The hack exploited a vulnerability in Microsoft's SharePoint software, something China has denied having used for espionage.
The White House is already preparing to coordinate with allies to issue a collective denunciation should more evidence be brought to bear on the hack.
This is an intolerable affront to international standards," a senior US cybersecurity official said. "The world community cannot ignore this."
External link: New York Post - Microsoft reveals China-linked cyber breach
Conclusion
This week's developments spotlight China's increasingly assertive presence on the world stage, from constructing out infrastructure and Renewable Energy dominance to circumventing more global scrutiny over trade and cybersecurity concerns. The intersection of environmental disruption, diplomatic tensions, and cyber warfare delivers a complex narrative of China's evolving role in the world.
China hydropower dam China news China renewable energy project China-EU summit 2025 Yarlung Tsangpo dam