2016年CRI Lancang-Mekong river Cooperation Highlights Water Cooperation

 

Chen Fengying is the director of World Economy Center with China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.

She says cooperation related to water resources is one of the priorities of the meeting, and locals will enjoy benefits from such cooperation.

"Cooperation on water resource is vital for us. Many local water conservancy facilities are not qualified¹ or scientific. So the region has been hit by draught² and floods. And there is an urgent need for hydro power in the region. For example, countries like Cambodia and Laos are highly reliant on hydro power. However they are suffering a huge shortage of electricity. The fishery industry is also important. Residents along the river are largely living on fishing. The industry is really promising³. I think irrigation and water transportation also involve a major proportion in daily life, so I think we could cooperate in the above areas."

The expert adds that proper governance for water will help the region to promote modern agriculture.

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

Since late 2015, countries along the river have suffered from drought due to the impact of the El Nino phenomenon.

The situation has worsened and threatens people's livelihoods⁴.

The Chinese government announced last week it plans to discharge water from a Hydro power Station in Yunnan Province until April 10th.

The cooperative move has been hailed by leaders from drought-hit Mekong countries.

The Thai Prime Minister has said he is happy to see China release water to help alleviate⁵ drought in his country, noting the water supply has already reached northern Thailand.

Chen Fengying attributes the action to full reservoirs.

Because we have reservoirs in upper reaches of the river, we were able to release water when the draught hit this time. How can we release water without those reservoirs? The water would just flow away."

In responding to complaints from local residents on China's development of hydro power in the region, Chen says a lack of effective communication in the past has been a problem.

Chen notes under the present framework, countries can work together to develop water resources with scientific methods and jointly⁶ reach acceptable solutions.

"We should stress rational exploitation no matter if it's in upper reaches or in lower reaches of the river. We need a plan for cooperation, to discuss and demonstrate resource management, and to jointly manage the issue. I believe there were complaints because we hadn't communicated effectively in the past. But in the future things will be better cause we now have various channels for cooperation and communication. We can reduce conflicts and resolve these issues through negotiation⁷."

As part of the cooperative moves, a water resources cooperation center will be set up for Lancang-Mekong countries to share information and resources to protect the environment along the river.

1 qualified   

adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的

参考例句：

• He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
• We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。

2 draught   

n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计

参考例句：

• He emptied his glass at one draught.他将杯中物一饮而尽。
• It's a pity the room has no north window and you don't get a draught.可惜这房间没北窗，没有过堂风。

3 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

4 livelihoods   

生计，谋生之道( livelihood的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• First came the earliest individualistic pioneers who depended on hunting and fishing for their livelihoods. 走在最前面的是早期的个人主义先驱者，他们靠狩猎捕鱼为生。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件
• With little influence over policies, their traditional livelihoods are threatened. 因为马赛族人对政策的影响力太小，他们的传统生计受到了威胁。

5 alleviate   

v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等)

参考例句：

• The doctor gave her an injection to alleviate the pain.医生给她注射以减轻疼痛。
• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。

6 jointly   

ad.联合地，共同地

参考例句：

• Tenants are jointly and severally liable for payment of the rent. 租金由承租人共同且分别承担。
• She owns the house jointly with her husband. 她和丈夫共同拥有这所房子。

7 negotiation   

n.谈判，协商

参考例句：

• They closed the deal in sugar after a week of negotiation.经过一星期的谈判，他们的食糖生意成交了。
• The negotiation dragged on until July.谈判一直拖到7月份。