For example, by building 11 giant dams on the Mekong, just before the river crosses into Southeast Asia, China has secured the ability to turn off the region’s water tap. But the CCP is failing to consider the high costs of its strategy, which extend far beyond political friction with neighbours.
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
Global community should beware of Beijing weaponizing water resources
Why are these five countries submissive to the CCP? Because they have been shortchanged.
Mekong River water levels see big jump due to torrential rain
“The region has received approximately 60% higher than average rainfall this month when compared to the same period in 2019 and 2020,” said Dr Lam Hung Son, Head of the MRC Secretariat’s Regional Flood and Drought Management Centre, noting that rainfall will be lower than average in July and about average in August and September.
Wildlife trafficking in Vietnam remains complex: report
Of note, elephant tusk smuggling remains rampant with illegally trading of ivory products found in 27 out of 31 surveyed locations. Many wild animals are kept in cages with poor sanitation, posing risks of spreading diseases.
United States boosts Thailand’s ability to fight wildlife crimes
This is the culmination of a two-year cooperative effort between USAID Wildlife Asia, the Supreme Court of Thailand, and other partners like UNEP to support the Thai Judiciary in advancing their own environment courts initiative.
Outrage over blacktip reef sharks sold at Phuket fish market
Sopon Thongdee, Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, said the department will be reviewing its list of protected animals and will register blacktip reef sharks as protected marine species.
Erosion detected in Ca Mau’s coastal embankment
Projects to strengthen the current sections of the dyke and build new parts as well as residential areas, are lagging behind due to high prices of building materials, labour shortages and land clearance issues.
As Lao-China rail line nears completion, some displaced by the work still wait to be paid
Lao villagers displaced by construction near Vientiane of the $5.9 billion high-speed rail line linking China with Laos are still waiting for promised compensation though most stations on the line are almost fully built
Global Environment Facility approves over $46.6 million to support FAO-led projects
They will be implemented in partnership with and co-financed by the governments of Cambodia, Cameroon, Eritrea, Lesotho, Malaysia, Senegal, Thailand, and Viet Nam.