Foreign and Military Affairs

China taps upper Mekong water resources reasonably

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-30 22:01

BEIJING - China said Tuesday it has always taken a responsible attitude in water resources exploration, refuting reports that construction of a dam on the Lancang River, the upper Mekong River, has caused a drop in water levels and brought drought to countries downstream.

"We have taken note of the relevant report and view it as groundless," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang at a regular press conference on Tuesday.

Some southwest China provinces and Mekong River countries are suffering an unprecedented drought, which Qin attributed to prolonged dry weather.

He said only 13.5 percent of the inflow water of the Mekong River was from the Lancang.

"We take a responsible attitude in water resources exploration, maintaining rational and sustainable development and utilization of water resources and fully considering the concerns of countries downriver," said Qin.

He said China had maintained close contacts with Mekong River countries on water resources cooperation and provided them with hydrological data regularly.

Qin said Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao would participate in a meeting of the Mekong River committee soon.

"The countries along the Mekong River are China's good neighbors, and we attach importance to developing relations with them," he said.