The Cooperation Of The International Water Resources Research In Non-Traditional Security Perspective

Water is the basis of human survival and development. A large amount of international water resources is shared by a number of countries, which determines its importance. Because of great population growth and industrial development, worldwide demand for water continues to increase. As a result, the struggle for shared water resources will be more competitive. International water links the countries in basin closely, as well as different policies and objectives among them, which results in international contradictions. If the problems cannot be solved in time, they may make the country feel security threats and lead to international conflicts.The study of international water issues has gradually shifted from the traditional security to non-traditional security fields. The study abroad has begun decades before China. What’s more, data collection and database construction are in advance of Chinese research. In recent years, Chinese scholars have been doing detailed study of the international water in southwest China, especially the case study of Mekong River. In addition, Chinese academics also have paid close attention to the international rivers in other parts of the world. Meantime, some disadvantages in recent research also reveal, such as lack of clear definitions, unestablished theoretical framework, weak data integration and unbalanced study. The problems in shared water affect the ecology and environment of the basin, as well as the politics, economy, society, culture, etc. Balanced research of the international water resources is not only in line with national interests, but also an important topic of national development.Competition is inevitable, but not necessarily leads to conflict. The solution of the international water issues is a political process. Cooperation is beneficial for all the countries in basin, which are interdependent and share common interest. Ongoing or potential conflicts could provide an opportunity for international cooperation. Cooperation is difficult to achieve, however, aims and policies of the nations will become consistent with each other through policy coordinating. To achieve international cooperation will reduce transaction costs and the countries can obtain a larger income by smaller cost. As the same time, the price of betrayal and deception will be much higher. As a result, cooperation will be the best choice for solving the international water problems and reducing the security threats. In general, countries prefer to cooperate with each other in basin. Due to international watercourses being widely recognized, the vast majority of the countries in the world treat the international water as shared resources. Many principles of international law and practice are compiled as well. Cooperation is conducive to easing the contradiction, improving water quality, solving environmental problems and promoting the development of the basin.Mekong River is a river of great importance and distinct features in Asia. The river flows through China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The basin has rich resources and large populations. Countries here are less developed and quite different with each other in many aspects. Mekong River possesses huge hydropower and natural resources. The upstream of it is suitable for hydropower projects, and the downstream fits for navigation, agriculture and fisheries. The Mekong River basin has multiple international mechanisms, but lacks of management institutions covering the whole basin. The countries here are dependent on the powers outside the basin to offer funds and technology. Besides, the great powers want to seek out more interventions on the basin. The case study of the Mekong River cooperation is a representative sample of the international water security research.Balanced study of international water could improve the Chinese academic development in non-traditional security fields, as well as guide the national action. China possesses more than a dozen international rivers, which means international water resources are of great significance for Chinese national security. What’s more, China is an upstream country and the biggest power in the basin. Suspicions of the other nations will be caused by the policies and actions of China. The issues of the Mekong River are related to China’s national security and interests.China actively participates in bilateral or multilateral cooperation, which has made great progress, such as the cooperation in transport, trade, economic, agriculture, ecology, disaster prevention, crime sanctions, and etc. China should improve the study and management of the international water, and promote the basin development in a variety of ways. The first step is to establish management agencies and introduce legislation of the international water resources. Additionally, China should show more initiative in the international cooperation, and competing for the appropriate authority.