Abstract: It is of great significance to analyze the exploitation status and potential of hydropower in countries along the routes of the Belt and Road to promote energy cooperation and building a community with a shared future. This study analyzes and summarizes spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the hydropower resources and exploitation rates over six regions along the routes based on a large body of data. The results show that for hydropower resource, its theoretical potential and technically exploitable capacity decrease from the east to west, while its exploitation rate increases from the east to west and is lower than 50% in most countries. In the past five years, the number of countries with an increasing or decreasing hydropower output is equal. Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia have abundant hydropower resources, with an obvious increasing trend in hydropower generation and a great exploiting potential. This study suggests that the countries along the routes can be divided into five levels according to the ratio of their exploiting potential of hydropower to the total, and future efforts should be focused on the 16 countries at the first and second levels. We also suggest and emphasize that the strategy of energy development along the Belt and Road should adapt to the specific situations of different countries with more exchange, innovation and cooperation in the future.

Key words: Belt and Road, hydroelectric energy, exploiting potential, community with shared future