April 15, 2020 / 6:42 PM / Updated 14 minutes ago
Mekong river groups urge China to show transparency after dam report

3 Min Read

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Groups working to protect the Mekong River have called for greater transparency and cooperation from China after a report that Chinese dams held back water during a damaging drought in downstream countries last year.

China has disputed the findings of the U.S. government-funded study and said it will do its utmost to guarantee a reasonable discharge of water to the Mekong basin countries of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The study, by research and consulting company Eyes on Earth Inc., said that according to satellite data 11 Chinese dams held back water at a time when China had higher-than-average levels - while levels downstream were at their lowest in over 50 years.

The Mekong River Commission (MRC), an inter-governmental body that works with the governments of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam in managing the Lower Mekong basin, said the study did not prove that the withholding of water caused the drought.

But its secretariat said it sought more information from China as well as a more formal working relationship.

“China, as an MRC dialogue partner, has provided its water level and rainfall data during flood season, from only two of its stations on the upper Mekong,” it said in response to Reuters questions. “The MRC has attempted to acquire dry season data from China, but no agreement has yet been reached.”

None of the governments in the downstream countries responded to a Reuters request for comment. Water flow on the Mekong is a sensitive topic in relations with China, the region’s dominant power.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-meko ... 1X1LG?il=0

AndyKK wrote:If it is true that the Third World War will happen over Water, then China may have as well caused the first provocation..

Don’t worry. The CCP and it’s people firmly believe that they will win the war. After all the Middle Kingdom occupied Vietnam for many years, and the rest of SE Asia paid tribute to the emperor.

Official news agency teaches them Chinese supremacy on every media outlet. How can it’s leaders and people think otherwise?

But they will play the long game and transform all the countries into Cambodia in the end. Sun-Tzu is their teacher and even Ironman studies politics from them.