China must be sincere on Mekong
Last week, the Bangkok Post published remarks by Yang Yang, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Thailand, explaining how China and others are promoting water resources cooperation in the Mekong “for the benefit of the people in the region”.
I, and members of the Thai Mekong People’s Network from Eight Provinces, disagree. People have shared and used the Mekong’s water and related resources for generations. From fishing to agriculture, navigation to water supply, people have derived multiple benefits from the Mekong.
However, we have witnessed major changes to our river system over the last two decades. The emergence of Mekong development initiatives, including the construction of large-scale dams, have adversely impacted the Mekong and its resources. Moreover, they have not benefited the people in the region. Instead, those living within the river basin, whose livelihoods and well-being are intimately tied to the health of the river, have borne the costs — while large corporations and wealthy elites have benefited from exploiting and controlling the Mekong.
