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

The document analyzes China's strategic drive to secure natural resources in the Mekong region to support its rapid economic growth. It details the role of state-backed financing through entities like China Exim Bank and Sinosure in facilitating investments in mining, hydropower, and agriculture. The brief highlights a pattern of resource extraction where raw materials are exported to China while finished goods are sold back to the region. It also notes the environmental and social risks associated with these projects, such as deforestation and displacement, and the lack of adherence to international sustainability standards like the Equator Principles.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2008). Rethinking Investments in Natural Resources: China’s Emerging Role in the Mekong Region. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/trade_chinapolicybrief_lo.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Rethinking Investments in Natural Resources: China’s Emerging Role in the Mekong Region. 2008. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/trade_chinapolicybrief_lo.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Rethinking Investments in Natural Resources: China’s Emerging Role in the Mekong Region |date=2008 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/trade_chinapolicybrief_lo.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2008rethinking, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Rethinking Investments in Natural Resources: China’s Emerging Role in the Mekong Region}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2008}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/trade_chinapolicybrief_lo.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }