Mekong River dams cause foods and damages to farmers

Yanyong Srijaroen, WWF-Thailand Wetlands Project Manager stated that the operation of Chinese dams often involves the untimely and unexpected release of large amounts of water destroying the nests and eggs of young birds of the endangered species. Moreover, dams located at the source lead to salinization and the decline of fisheries, which affects the surrounding villages that depend on the river, as well as to its negative effects on crops because of the sediment that usually fertilizes crops at the top of the source.

China Is turning Its water-scarcity crisis into a weapon

The PRC is flexing its hegemony in its region, putting other countries at a disadvantage, and making them beholden to PRC consideration for a vital resource. Some say that Beijing is weaponizing water. This is a real danger. On closer inspection, though, Beijing’s actions reflect the government’s recognition that extreme measures are needed. Water scarcity for human consumption, power, and irrigation is a significant source of potential instability. China’s water problem is serious.

Mekong countries’ diplomats call for more experience sharing in water governance upon in-person visits to China’s dams

After visiting the Nuozhadu and Jinghong hydropower stations, built on the Lancang River – upstream of the Mekong River that links six riparian countries – in Southwest China’s Yunnan Province, last week, envoys learned about the running techniques of Chinese-built dams and underlined the potential contribution of reservoirs to downstream communities in regulating flood and replenishing drought.