The Bangkok Post
A meeting of experts will help, Beijing told
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is putting pressure on China to discuss the impact of its dams on the water level in the Mekong River.
Drought in Thailand has resulted in critically low water reserves and has seriously affected cultivation, especially in the Central Plains.
Mr Abhisit passed on his message to Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue during a visit by Mr Hu yesterday.
The prime minister said drought was a serious problem and asked whether dams in China had caused problems along the Mekong River.
He said it would be beneficial if China held a meeting of experts to discuss the issue and exchange information.
Mr Hu said the federal and local governments in China considered drought solutions “an important mission”. Dam projects in China were developed on the principle that they would not affect countries downstream.
He also insisted water in the river passing through China accounted for only 13% of the total amount of water along the river.
Mr Hu said the Mekong River Commission (MRC), which is made up of representatives from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, maintained contact with China. He said China did not wish to lose its interests in the subregion.
The Mekong River has a great influence on nature and the livelihoods of people living on the Indochina peninsula.
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