China showing goodwill in water diplomacy: Vietnamese reports

As a big power in the upstream of the Mekong which has crucial role in socio-economic situation of countries in the Southeast Asia, China is showing its goodwill to join hands in dealing with water resource with neighboring countries in the downstream area, said a Vietnamese state newspaper on Tuesday.

This is a positive move in Beijing's"water diplomacy,"Nhan Dan (People) Newspaer assessed in its report about Mekong River cooperation, adding that countries in the Mekong basin hold responsibility for suitable use of Mekong water.

Mekong River originates in China and runs through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is known as Lancang in the Chinese stretch.

In the context that lives of millions of people in the river basin have been largely affected by climate change, a closer and more active cooperation mechanism among related countries is needed to exploit and effectively use the important water resource in Mekong River, reported Nhan Dan.

From March 15 to May 31, China discharged water from southwest Yunnan province's Jinghong Hydropower Station to the lower reaches of the Mekong River.

The move aimed to alleviate severe drought partially caused by El Nino phenomenon in Mekong downstream.

During the first Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) leaders' meeting held in China's Hainan Province in late March, six Mekong countries continue to affirm their cooperation for peaceful, stable and sustainable development of the Mekong sub-region.

The LMC, involving China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, will focus on security and development, as well as political, social and cultural fields. Interconnectivity, production capacity, cross-border economy, water resources, agriculture and poverty alleviation are five priority directions for cooperation, claimed by Nhan Dan as background. Enditem