The Yangtze River, located in China, is the longest river in the country and the third-longest river in the world. It has a huge contribution in shaping the Chinese civilization and is referred to as the cradle of Chinese civilization. The river is the backbone of China’s economy, providing irrigation and hydropower, and offering vital transportation arteries. But is the Yangtze River a part of the Mekong River?
The Mekong River is considered one of the most important rivers in Southeast Asia, snaking down from the highlands of the Tibetan Plateau with its major tributary, the Yangtze River originating from its source. But the conventional understanding of history does not consider the Yangtze to be part of the Mekong River. Conflicting theories add to the confusion surrounded by researchers and historians.
According to some sources, the Mekong River and the Yangtze River join forces to become a single waterway that extends to the South China Sea. They believe that the Yangtze formed a larger part of the Mekong Delta in the past, allowing the two rivers to merge; however this process has since been disrupted by the presence of natural dams, resulting in the two rivers no longer running together.
Experts disagree over the common concept of whether the Yangtze River is part of the Mekong River. According to Dr. Kwok, history professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Yangtze River is fundamentally different from the Mekong in terms of its culture, economic development, regional history and distinct landscape. He quote illustrates by saying “The Yangtze River has brought about an evolution in Chinese civilisation, agriculture, trade and history which is distinct from the evolution brought about by the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. There is no doubt that the Mekong, which is ideal for fishing and boat traffic, is a major source of livelihood for the people of Southeast Asia, but the Yangtze is literally the backbone of all Chinese development since ancient times; it is really a distinct and important water zone of its own”.
Alternate theories
Unlike most theories that reject the notion, some researchers suggest that the two rivers were once connected by a waterway. The researchers argued that there may have once been a waterway that connected the two rivers. They suggest that the flow of the Yangtze to the South China Sea has since been blocked due to natural disasters and the emergence of dams.
Some have even retrospectively suggested that the Mekong and the Yangtze are the same river, if viewed from an evolutionary point of view. Though the two rivers have slightly different sources, watersheds, and drainage basins, the claim does have some grounds as both rivers do intersect once before separating at a junction in China.
However the divergence in geography, culture and economic development makes it difficult to believe that the two rivers have somehow merged over time to become one.
Famous Cultural Festivals
The Yangtze River has been endowed with some of the most popular and significant cultural events in Chinese culture. The Dragon Boat Festival is a celebration of China’s ancient history when it is said that hundreds of thousands of dragon boats would carry soldiers on the Yangtze to defend the nation.
In addition to this cultural event, the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power station on the Yangtze River, has been the site of the Three Gorges International Boat Festival every year. This festival involves traditional boat races and cultural performances alongside interactive exhibitions related to the river.
On the other hand, the Mekong River brings about lavish festivals in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam along its course. The most popular of these being the Boat Racing Festival of Thái Nguyên province in Vietnam. This festival marks the beginning of the sowing season, and the fisherman of the Mekong River aim to give thanks to their ancestors for their blessings bestowed upon them for the new season.
Impact on Chinese Economy
The Yangtze river holds a significance far greater than simple geographical significance on a larger scale, as it contributes to huge amounts of the Chinese economy. With the Three Gorges Dam, the water levels along the Yangtze River have increased, forming a vast reservoir that has been used to generate electric power. In addition to this, the Yangtze has been used as a major route of transportation, allowing cruise ships and ferries to move through the lake and river.
Additionally, the river has provided a major source of irrigation, which has in turn resulted in the cultivation and growth of the agriculture industry in the region. This has resulted in a significant increase in the Chinese GDP and helped in the sustainability of Chinese cconomy. Therefore, it is safe to say that the Yangtze River, although constrained from possibly being a part of the Mekong, is a major economic source for China today.
Conclusion
From a geographical point of view, the Yangtze River is not part of the Mekong River; however there are numerous conflicting theories that attempt to explain a possible connection between the two rivers.
But no matter how the two rivers are connected or not, what cannot be denied is their immense significance in the history and economical development of their respective countries. The Yangtze is an economic powerhouse for China and the Mekong River is a source of livelihood for millions in Southeast Asia. As the Yangtze snakes it way through China and the Mekong continues its journey to the South China Sea, both rivers remain at the heart of their respective countries, conveying a unique cultural and historical message to the world.
