Troubled Waters: Contemporary challenges in Southeast Asian Hydropolitics
The centrality of water in both economic - and increasingly, geopolitical - activity in Southeast Asia has led to water bodies in the region witnessing rising contestation over them. Focusing on the Mekong River, this panel shed light on how riparian states handle hydropolitical challenges - such as climate change and the growing political influence of China - that intersect fields like environmental studies and international relations.
Dr Yong
More support at the grassroots level to [bolster] the network of communities and civil societies will be a strong and sustainable solution for Mekong going forward.
Dr Laksamana
Both the Mekong and SCS are important geopolitical flashpoints, but the former has greater sub-regional cooperation, whereas the latter [witnesses a] lack [of] cooperation.
Mr. Hiebert
The general lesson for SEA nations is that lean[ing] too much to [either the US or China] leads to over-reliance and domestic leaders [becoming] politically vulnerable. Countries must learn to [safeguard] their political legitimacy
Mr Eyler
It’s been proven that China’s dams pull the river pulse down, and that pulse is gone [in some areas].
Panelists
Dr Yong Ming Li
Fellow at the East West Center, with research focusing on issues around transboundary water governance and hydropower development in the Mekong River Basin
Mr Murray Hiebert
Former Deputy Director of the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies); worked for the US government as a senior director for SEA at the US Chamber of Commerce. Prior to that, he was a journalist in SEA, serving as the bureau chief for Wall Street Journal Asia and the Far Eastern Economic Review.
Mr Brian Eyler
Senior Fellow and Director of the Southeast Asia Program and the Energy, Water, and Sustainability Program at the Stimson Center and an expert on transboundary issues in the Mekong region and specializes in China’s economic cooperation with Southeast Asia
Dr Evan Laksamana
Senior Research Fellow at Center on Asia and Globalization at the NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, with research focusing on Indonesian strategic and foreign affairs policy, as well as governance within the South China Sea
