Although there are no territorial disputes like those in the South China Sea, and no Western presence, China’s economic might is on full display in the Mekong region. Before Covid-19 struck, cities like Sihanoukville, Pattaya, and Luang Prabang were swamped with Chinese tourists. One only has to look at the impact that Chinese business and interests have had on the Cambodian economy to understand how the world’s newest superpower is flexing its economic muscles.
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
Another Great Flood looming for Thailand? Experts weigh the risks
With the overflowing Chao Phraya flooding more provinces, Thais are worried their worst fears could soon be realized – a recurrence of the Great Flood of 2011, which claimed more than 600 lives and caused damage worth a whopping Bt1.44 trillion.
USAID promotes conservation of endangered bird species in Prey Lang
USAID-GPLP pays community members a daily rate for each nest they watch over. Depending on the bird species, the monitoring period takes up to three months, beginning with finding active nests with eggs and ending when the chicks having successfully fledged.
Gauging benefits of natural ecosystems in fighting floods
Using modelling, the study zoomed in on the possible scenario of continued deforestation at the Myanmar Chindwin River basin, and showed that protecting these forests could reduce the economic and human costs of floods by 14 percent.
Energy crossroads
The Thai government recently announced a policy to increase the share of renewable energy to at least 50% of the country’s total needs, from about 15 percent now. B.Grimm Power itself is moving toward realising net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
New plant species found in national park in Thailand’s Ranong province
Being a species found only in a very specific area and which could be at risk of extinction, the research team is considering cooperation with the department and local officials to propagate the species through the use of bio-technological techniques.
Millions of US dollars poured into green growth projects
Capital flows into green growth projects have still seen positive signals despite adverse impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic on foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam.
Beating back the floods
Dams not always ideal solution to climate change, say experts
Belt and Road starts and stops in China’s backyard
Beijing is seeking to showcase the China-Lao train, and incorporate the stop-and-go progress on a similar rail line in Thailand and a port project in Myanmar, both of which are key to the BRI’s vision of a better-connected regional economic sphere with China at its powerful center.
US and Vietnam reach timber pact thus averting punitive tariffs
The accord “secures commitments that will help keep illegally harvested or traded timber out of the supply chain and protect the environment and natural resources,” and no trade action is warranted for now, the Office of the US Trade Representative said in an emailed statement.