ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author believes that water diplomacy can be understood from both narrow and broad dimensions. She explores the key factors behind this paradigm shift, and the challenges ahead for China to implement its new transboundary water policy. As the origin of several important international rivers, including the Lancang-Mekong River, China takes the lead both in the number of international rivers and the volume of shared transboundary water resources. The active but limited cooperation policy pursued by China in Lancang- Mekong water resources management may seem to reflect its lack of motivation to promote deeper cooperation, which will face increasing difficulties and resistance as the new trends and situations emerge in the development and management of Lancang-Mekong water resources. Being limited refers to restricted sharing of information and technical expertise with Mekong River Commission member states.
