China asks Mekong states to visit dam

via CAAI News Media

Wants to counter claims that it's causing drought

Published: 10/03/2010

China has invited countries from the lower Mekong subregion to visit its Jinghong dam in a bid to counter claims that its poor water management is causing drought in downstream countries.

Kasemsun Chinnavaso, director-general of the Water Resources Department, said China had invited representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand early this year to visit the Jinghong dam, one of four dams it operates along the Mekong River, but the trip was postponed due to cold weather.

The new visit is expected to take place this month.

"This is a very significant step for closer bilateral cooperation between China and members of the lower Mekong subregion for effective river management to deal with recent unusual drought and floods," Mr Kasemsun said.

The downstream countries blame China's dams for unusual flooding along the Mekong two years ago and for this year's severe drought.

Jinghong is one of the largest dams on the Mekong, with a generating capacity of 1,500 megawatts. It is located just 280km from Chiang Rai province.

Chinese authorities earlier brushed aside calls by the Mekong River Commission for it to reveal information about the dam's water management.

The commission is made up of representatives from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

China has rejected the allegations. Its Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue told Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday that China's dams were not a major cause of problems along the river. Just 13% of the water that feeds the Mekong comes from China, he said.

The Chinese embassy in Thailand is expected to hold a news conference tomorrow to explain the impact of its dams on the Mekong.

The Chiang Khong Conservation Group in Chiang Rai will submit a protest letter to the Chinese embassy on April 2, said Niwat Roykaew, a key member of the group.

The Chiang Khong group will also submit a letter to the MRC. which is meeting in Hua Hin from April 3-7.

The group will demand that the international organisation reviews its role after failing to protect and preserve one of the world's largest fresh water ecological systems, Mr Niwat said.

Meanwhile, Chiang Rai governor Sumet Saengnimnuan said he would ask local fisherman not to catch giant catfish this year, due to a dramatically declining population in the Mekong.

Laos has issued a law banning the fishing of the endangered species which is only found in the Mekong.

Thailand should also take more aggressive action to protect the giant catfish, Mr Sumet said.

Drought has also spurred Provincial Police Region 3, which is responsible for the lower Northeast, to step up patrols along the Mekong to curb cross-border drug trafficking which has become easier as the river's water level drops.

Ten drug traffickers with more than 200,000 methamphetamine tablets in total have been arrested while trying to enter Thailand illegally over the past couple of months, regional police chief Dechawat Ramsomphop said.

He said three spots along the river are often used by traffickers to cross between Thailand and Laos - tambon Ban Khok Sarn Tha in Amnat Charoen, and tambons Ban Song Khon and Ban Bueng Suay in Ubon Ratchathani.