Building an Asian community of shared destiny
Updated: 2016-03-23 07:39
(China Daily)
|
|||||||||
The Jinghong Hydropower Station will increase water discharges to ease effects of a regional drought. [Photo by Yang Zheng/China Daily] |
Last year, six countries through which one of the world's longest rivers runs agreed to establish the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation framework to coordinate development works and promote the well-being of the people living in the subregion. Given the Mekong River's rich biodiversity and the riparian zone's delicate environment, the framework will serve as an additional forum for consultations between upper and lower riparian countries.
China's decision to release water from its Jinghong Dam last week was hailed as a goodwill gesture that augurs well for the LMC meeting in Sanya, south China's Hainan province, on Wednesday when Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is scheduled to meet the leaders from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
The current dry season has led to drought in parts of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, where many people depend on agriculture and fishing. For instance, Vietnam's Mekong Delta region is facing severe drought, which has harmed rice and fruit productions.
The discharge of water from Jinghong Dam will continue until April 10, allowing all riparian countries to store water and plan irrigation, as managing their water supplies remains a common annual dilemma for them.
The recent El Nino phenomenon has aggravated the region's water shortage problem, which can be solved only with the cooperation of all stakeholders. The 4,880-kilometer-long river runs through Yunnan province before snaking through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
The LMC framework, agreed by the riparian countries in Jinghong, Yunnan province, in November, will focus on political security issues, economic affairs and sustainable development, as well as social affairs and people-to-people exchanges.
Many see the LMC as a mechanism that could promote better understanding and help build trust through information and data sharing, as well as draw all the countries to work together on critical issues such as water management, capacity building and protection of the river's biodiversity.
The LMC frame work meeting in Sanya is likely to discuss wide-ranging issues related to water management, connectivity, capacity building, cross-border economic cooperation, agriculture and poverty alleviation. And given the prevailing situation, there is a possibility that the parties will reach an agreement to dredge the river in order to improve navigation in and strengthen security along the river.
Kavi Chongkittavorn is a veteran journalist based in Bangkok.
- Cambodia hails China for releasing water to drought-hit Mekong nations
- Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders' Meeting
- Vietnamese expert hails China's water discharge in Mekong River cooperative move
- China says Lancang-Mekong cooperation to bridge development gaps within ASEAN
- Lancang-Mekong country leaders to meet
- Vietnam discussing with other Mekong countries to ensure sustainable use of water
- China to help alleviate drought along Mekong
- Mekong Delta faces worst drought, saltwater intrusion in century
- Global health entering new era: WHO chief
- Brazil's planning minister steps aside after recordings revelation
- Vietnam, US adopt joint statement on advancing comprehensive partnership
- European border closures 'inhumane': UN refugee agency
- Japan's foreign minister calls A-bombings extremely regrettable
- Fukushima impact unprecedented for oceans: US expert
- Stars of Lijiang River: Elderly brothers with white beards
- Wealthy Chinese children paying money to learn British manners
- Military-style wedding: Fighter jets, grooms in dashing uniforms
- Striking photos around the world: May 16 - May 22
- Robots help elderly in nursing home in east China
- Hanging in the air: Chongqing holds rescue drill
- 2.1-ton tofu finishes in two hours in central China
- Six things you may not know about Grain Buds
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Anti-graft campaign targets poverty relief |
Cherry blossom signal arrival of spring |
In pictures: Destroying fake and shoddy products |
China's southernmost city to plant 500,000 trees |
Cavers make rare finds in Guangxi expedition |
Cutting hair for Longtaitou Festival |
Today's Top News
Liang avoids jail in shooting death
China's finance minister addresses ratings downgrade
Duke alumni visit Chinese Embassy
Marriott unlikely to top Anbang offer for Starwood: Observers
Chinese biopharma debuts on Nasdaq
What ends Jeb Bush's White House hopes
Investigation for Nicolas's campaign
Will US-ASEAN meeting be good for region?
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |