Asia 's current water crisis could worsen to severe water shortages by 2050 , found a study published by UNESCO . The upstream dams give China control over the transboundary flow of water and nutrient-rich silt essential to the economies of mainland Southeast Asia, where the Mekong is the lifeblood of 60 million people. Accordingly , water is emerging as an " instrument of power in inter - state relations " , with control over countries ' shared freshwater emerging as a " key challenge " for long - term peace and stability in the region , according to economist Brahma Chellaney . China 's control of upstream dams could damage the economies of both South Asia and Central Asia which depend on freshwater and nutrient - rich silt .
Asia 's current water crisis could worsen to severe water shortages by 2050 , found a study published by UNESCO . Accordingly , water is emerging as an " instrument of power in inter - state relations " , with control over countries ' shared freshwater emerging as a " key challenge " for long - term peace and stability in the region , according to economist Brahma Chellaney . China 's control of upstream dams could damage the economies of both South Asia and Central Asia which depend on freshwater and nutrient - rich silt .