Water is clearly critical in this region. What is hydro-politics? Give one example of a river(s) and countries where it is taking place in this region.

Question

Water is clearly critical in this region. What is hydro-politics?  Give one example of a river(s) and countries where it is taking place in this region.

Answer 1

Hydro politics is when there is an international conflict regarding a water source, usually a river. This is taking place right now in Vietnam, where they are downstream on the Mekong River, which begins in China. China is using water from the Mekong to the extent that the flow is drastically decreased, affecting populations in Vietnam who rely on fishing for livelihood. China and Vietnam use their shared resource as a point in which to engage in political discourse.