# China megaprojects face geological risk at Medog dam > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/china-expands-major-ship-construction-projects > Updated: 2026-07-11T05:53:28.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 10. China’s recent wave of megaprojects continues to confront serious geological challenges. The Motuo (Medog) hydro‑electric scheme on the Yarlung Tsangpo, slated to become the world’s largest at 60 GW and expected to generate about 300 TWh annually, began construction in 2025 near the Indian border. A July geological study confirmed that the active Paizhen Fault runs directly beneath the dam site. The fault, active since the Pleistocene and linked to the 6.9‑magnitude 2017 Milin earthquake, has fractured surrounding rock, creating weakened foundations and elevating the risk of landslides, slope failures or even dam collapse under seismic loading or prolonged water immersion. Researchers have urged stronger engineering responses, including extensive slope reinforcement and retaining barriers. The findings have revived concerns from India and Bangladesh over potential reductions in downstream Brahmaputra/Jamuna flows, adding a geopolitical dimension to the technical hazards. Chinese officials maintain that comprehensive geological assessments have been carried out and that the project will meet safety and environmental standards, but the new data keep safety and cross‑border water‑resource issues under close scrutiny. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-11: China's Medog Mega Dam Faces Fault Line Risks Near Indian Border Chinese geologists warn that the active Paizhen fault beneath Tibet's Medog mega‑dam could jeopardize the world's largest hydro project and heighten downstream water concerns for India and Bangladesh. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinas-tibet-mega-dam-faces-geological-risk ### 2026-06-22: China to Build World's Largest Onshore LNG Storage Tanks at Yuedong Terminal China's Yuedong LNG Terminal will install three 240,000 m³ onshore tanks—the world’s largest—designed by France's GTT with GST technology, set for 2028 delivery to boost storage and energy security. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-to-build-worlds-largest-onshore-lng-storage-tanks-at-yuedong-terminal ### 2026-06-21: China's $168 B Yarlung Tsangpo Dam Project Raises Seismic and Downstream Water Risks China's $168 B Yarlung Tsangpo dam in Tibet, set to produce 300 TWh annually, faces seismic safety concerns and could affect water flow for over 130 million people downstream in India and Bangladesh. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinas-168-b-yarlung-tsangpo-dam-project-raises-seismic-and-downstream-water-risks ### 2026-06-20: China starts building world's largest hydroelectric dam on Yarlung Tsangpo China began building the Motog dam in Tibet, a 60‑70 GW, $170 bn project on the Yarlung Tsangpo, sparking downstream water‑security, seismic and geopolitical concerns for India and Bangladesh. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-launches-construction-of-worlds-largest-hydropower-project-on-yarlung-tsangpo ### 2026-06-18: China tests world's largest 155mm naval gun China's navy is testing a new 155mm naval gun, the world's largest, aimed at supporting amphibious strikes on Taiwan. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-tests-worlds-largest-155mm-naval-gun ### 2026-06-11: China begins construction of ultra‑large 271,000 m³ LNG carrier China has started building a 344‑m, 271,000 m³ ultra‑large LNG carrier for a Qatar project, due in 2028, featuring advanced containment, low boil‑off and Tier III emissions, underscoring China's growing ship‑b​ 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-begins-construction-of-ultralarge-271000-m-lng-carrier ### 2026-06-10: China launches $11 billion multi‑stage ship lock at Three Gorges Dam to double Yangtze cargo capacity China started building a $11 billion five‑stage ship lock at the Three Gorges Dam, set to double Yangtze River cargo capacity and cut transport costs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-launches-11-billion-multistage-ship-lock-at-three-gorges-dam-to-double-yangtze-cargo-capacity ### 2026-06-10: China begins construction of world’s largest 271,000 m³ LNG carrier China’s Hudong‑Zhonghua has started building a 271,000 m³ LNG carrier for QatarEnergy, the world’s largest, highlighting China’s rising share in global LNG shipbuilding. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-begins-building-worlds-largest-271000cbm-lng-carrier-for-qatarenergy ### 2026-06-08: China Begins Construction of World's Largest Inland Ship Lock on the Yangtze China has launched a 77.2 billion‑yuan project to build the world’s largest inland ship lock at the Three Gorges Dam, boosting Yangtze River cargo capacity and supporting the Yangtze Economic Belt. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-begins-construction-of-worlds-largest-inland-ship-lock-on-the-yangtze ### 2026-05-24: China constructs the largest naval support vessel ever built China is nearing completion of a 890‑ft naval support ship that could become the world’s largest replenishment vessel, boosting the PLA Navy’s blue‑water capacity. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-constructs-the-largest-naval-support-vessel-ever-built --- Cite as: China megaprojects face geological risk at Medog dam. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/china-expands-major-ship-construction-projects