China on Monday rejected criticism from its neighbours that its dams on the Mekong river were responsible for droughts in their countries, even as it came under increasing pressure to share more hydrological data.
Officials from Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, countries which make up the Mekong River Commission (MRC), have called for greater co-operation from China in managing the Mekong, and have expressed concern over eight dams China has planned along the river in its south-western Yunnan province.
China's Vice-Foreign Minister Song Tao said on Monday a drought in Yunnan, which is affecting more than 24 million, was responsible for the fall in water-level downstream. “Statistics show that the recent drought that hit the whole river basin is attributable to the extreme dry weather, and the water level decline of the Mekong river has nothing to do with the hydropower development,” he said.
At the first ever MRC summit held this past weekend in Thailand, leaders from its four member-countries signed a declaration pledging to intensify co-operation to better manage the Mekong and reduce risks from floods and drought. China, like Myanmar, is a “dialogue partner” of the MRC, and has so far refused to formally join the commission.
Members are required to share hydrological data and commit to joint management initiatives. “Without good and careful management of the Mekong river as well as its natural resources, this great river will not survive,” Prime Minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva warned. “The Mekong river is being threatened by serious problems arising from both the unsustainable use of water and the effects of climate change.”
He struck a conciliatory note with China on Monday, thanking the Chinese government for improving information-sharing in recent months. China agreed to share hydrological data from two stations in Yunnan since last month. Thai Prime Minister said there had been progress in furthering co-operation between the MRC and its two dialogue partners, but much more was needed.
