Rethinking Investments in Natural Resources: China's Emerging Role in the Mekong Region

The document examines China's expanding influence in the Mekong region, specifically Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, through foreign direct investment and trade focused on natural resource extraction. It notes that while Chinese state-owned enterprises dominate hydropower and are increasing investments in mining and agribusiness, they often maintain poor social and environmental records. The brief argues that China could lead in sustainable investment by adopting international best practices and partnering with host governments to strengthen local regulations.

• Chinese state-owned enterprises are primary drivers of natural resource extraction in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, dominating hydropower projects and providing capital for agricultural inputs in Cambodia and Laos, while expanding into mineral exploitation across all three nations.
• Trade between China and the three selected Mekong countries is characterized by China importing natural resources and exporting manufactured goods, a structure that is less resource-intensive in other Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
• Despite efforts to adopt green credit policies and international best practices to improve its global profile, many Chinese state-owned companies in the mining and hydropower sectors continue to have poor environmental and social track records abroad.

APA

IISD,, H. B. S. W. (2008). Rethinking Investments in Natural Resources: China's Emerging Role in the Mekong Region. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/rethinking-investments-natural-resources-chinas-emerging-role-mekong-region

Chicago

IISD,, Heinrich Böll Stiftung, WWF,. Rethinking Investments in Natural Resources: China's Emerging Role in the Mekong Region. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2008. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/rethinking-investments-natural-resources-chinas-emerging-role-mekong-region.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=IISD, |first1=Heinrich Böll Stiftung, WWF, |title=Rethinking Investments in Natural Resources: China's Emerging Role in the Mekong Region |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=18 December 2008 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/rethinking-investments-natural-resources-chinas-emerging-role-mekong-region |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{iisd2008rethinking, author = {IISD,, Heinrich Böll Stiftung, WWF,}, title = {{Rethinking Investments in Natural Resources: China's Emerging Role in the Mekong Region}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2008}, month = dec, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/rethinking-investments-natural-resources-chinas-emerging-role-mekong-region}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }