Xiangli Ding

Xiangli Ding, an associate professor of history specializing in modern China and environmental history, discusses his book, highlighting the dual nature of hydropower in China. He explores the historical evolution of dams, revealing their impact on landscapes and communities. The conversation delves into the human cost of hydropower development in the 1950s, emphasizing resettlement challenges. Ding also examines the interplay of energy, ecology, and political change, illustrating how infrastructure projects reshaped not just energy systems but also social dynamics.