China continues releasing water to drought-hit Mekong River countries

China has decided to continue discharging water from a hydropower station into the downstream reaches of the Mekong River for drought relief, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Monday that his country faced a severe drought, and expressed his hope that China would continue to supply water to downstream reaches of the Mekong. Mekong River originates in China and runs through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is known as Lancang River in the Chinese stretch.

Spokesperson Lu Kang said China decided to continue discharging water starting April 11 and last until the end of low water period, considering the drought situation in downstream countries. The water volume discharged will be adjusted in accordance with the situation in upstream areas and the actual demand of downstream countries, Lu said.

At the request of downstream countries, China discharged water from the Jinghong Hydropower Station in Yunnan Province from March 15 to April 10 to help.

The water that China can discharge had been stored by the power station during the high water period and flood period, Lu said, adding this indicates that necessary water conservancy facilities can help reduce the impact of drought and floods to countries in the river valley.

Since the end of 2015, due to the El Nino effect, countries along the Lancang-Mekong River have sustained droughts of varying degrees, and their people's lives and work have been affected.

China is willing to cooperate with Lancang-Mekong River countries in coping with extreme climate and protecting water resources, Lu said. Endi