After Mekong Data Deal, Experts Call for More Upstream Information, Transparency
While welcoming China’s decision to share hydrological data with Mekong nations, experts said the next step would be to expand the information shared and to make this data accessible to citizens and communities who most need it.
The Mekong River Commission (MRC) and China’s Water Resource Ministry signed an agreement last week to share hydrological data twice a day from two stations on the upstream – the mainstream dam in Yunjinghong and another at Manan, both in Yunan province, according to the Mekong River Commission.
An Pich Hatda, chief executive officer of the MRC’s secretariat in Vientiane, Laos, said Beijing’s willingness to share dry-season data could serve as an “unprecedented event” after 18 years of requests.
“It’s a good start…since this data will assist the Mekong River Commission to better study the river’s water levels, especially during the dry season,” An Pich Hatda told VOA Khmer.
Aun Chhengpor/VOA Khmer
