China Starts Work on the World's Largest Hydropower Dam

China has broken ground on what promises to be the world’s largest hydropower dam, a giant project on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau that underscores Beijing’s dual ambitions: securing energy independence and solidifying geopolitical leverage over one of Asia’s most important rivers. Premier Li Qiang’s formal launch of the $170 billion venture, described as a “project of the century”, is a symbolic reminder of China’s willingness to bet big on infrastructure as part of its climate and industrial…