Downstream on the Mekong: Contrasting Cambodian and Vietnamese responses to Chinese water control

Download
Author
Clements, Cole M.
Date
2017-06Advisor
Barma, Naazneen
Malley, Michael
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Decreasing supplies of fresh water, growth of the global population, and the transnational nature of much of the world's water resources have made global competition over water increasingly common. In Southeast Asia, Chinese hydroelectric dams at the Lancang Cascade have enabled China to control the headwaters of the Mekong River and threaten downstream states' access to this vital resource. Cambodia and Vietnam are two Southeast Asian states whose economic prosperity is inextricably linked to undisturbed access to the Mekong. Despite similar requirements for river usage, the two states have responded to Chinese control in surprisingly different ways. This thesis investigates the different Vietnamese and Cambodian responses to China's Mekong River development by analyzing their requirements for the Mekong River and contrasting each state's relationship with China. The thesis finds that Cambodia has developed a strategy of appeasement toward China, placing its short-term interests in Chinese economic assistance ahead of its long-term requirements for riparian productivity, while Vietnam has balanced against the super power, demonstrating the resolve to protect its riparian interests. Similarly, the two states both use institutions to offset the super power's significant size and power advantages, providing them an alternative path to shape China's actions.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Patterns in conflict: an historical analysis of PRC crisis/conflict management based on Chinese perceptions of sovereignty and national strategic frontiers
McPherson, Darren G. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 1998-12);Primarily based on Chinese perceptions of sovereignty and their national strategic frontiers, this study attempts to discern patterns in PRC uses of force to attain foreign policy objectives. Both concepts are instrumental ... -
China's gender imbalance and its implications on China-Japan and China-Taiwan security relations
Tzeng, Jerry Y. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2011-12);The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how China's gender imbalance could affect East Asian security with respect to China-Japan relations and China-Taiwan relations. The research result is ambiguous in that China's ... -
Citius, Altius, Fortius: faster, higher, stronger
Steinbrenner, Todd James (Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School, 2013-06);Chinese elite female athletes have experienced extraordinary success in international athletic competitions. Since 1992, elite women athletes have been more represented and successful in the Olympics and National Championships ...