The main direct interest in negotiating use of the river system from China’s perspective
is navigation, since this is the principle use of the river for which cooperation produces
direct benefits upstream. It is possible that cooperation on navigation could build the
relationships of mutual trust and interdependence necessary to tackle more difficult aspects
of river-basin cooperation at the intergovernmental level, a pattern common in the evolution
of river-basin accords worldwide.43 At the same time, China’s indirect interests in maintaining
good relations with its southern neighbors of mainland Southeast Asia are increasing.
In addition to the river route, China has a significant stake in improving rail and road
transportation links to ports in Vietnam, Burma, and Thailand that would provide an outlet
for goods produced in China’s southwest. Tying such economic interests to river-basin
cooperation may be the most effective lever of influence for downstream governments.