China diverted the Yalong River at two locations simultaneously in a single day to begin construction of the Mengdigou and Yagen Stage I hydropower stations with combined capacity of 2.7 million kilowatts. The projects will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 9 million tonnes annually and create 8,000 jobs, marking the first synchronized river blockade on the Yalong River as part of China's ambitious 78 million kW water-solar-wind integrated base planned for completion by 2035