
Can Mekong Stingrays Tell the Chinese Dam Story Well?
Hoang Thi Ha
China is crafting “wonderful stories” about its upstream dams in the Mekong. But the overall thrust of the narrative glosses over the more controversial aspects of dam building.
Hoang Thi Ha
China is crafting “wonderful stories” about its upstream dams in the Mekong. But the overall thrust of the narrative glosses over the more controversial aspects of dam building.
Truong-Minh Vu|Tram Nguyen
Vietnam’s water diplomacy since November 2017 reflects the country’s concerns over the Mekong Delta Region’s sustainable development prospects. Treating Mekong issues as a national security matter, Vietnam has mobilised resources for the development of the region and promoted regional cooperation towards a sustainable Mekong River Basin.
Melinda Martinus|Qiu Jiahui
Rapid urbanisation and population growth have been overlooked factors contributing to environmental and ecological disruptions in the Mekong region.
Richard Grünwald
The Lancang Mekong Cooperation has suffered a deficit of trust following the publication of a study in April 2020 raising concerns over the impact of Chinese mainstream dams on the Mekong’s water flow. To overcome the trust deficit on the Mekong, it is important to depoliticise hydrological science by ensuring compliance with standard research procedures and collaboration among relevant institutions.
Hoang Thi Ha|Farah Nadine Seth
Despite being the premier regional organisation in Southeast Asia, ASEAN remains a bystander in the imminent collapse of the Mekong River ecosystem. The successful mainstreaming of transboundary haze pollution in ASEAN’s legal and institutional frameworks are instructive for invigorating ASEAN’s engagement in the Mekong issues.
Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy
Implementing WTO trade facilitation commitments will be key.
Murray Hiebert
The future of the Mekong is under threat from upstream dams. For the river to remain healthy and survive, China and its Southeast Asian neighbours need to find ways to share the Mekong’s water, fish and silt. This will ensure that the Mekong does not become a flashpoint like what the South China Sea has become.
Phan Xuan Dung
Hanoi is applying its South China Sea playbook to the Mekong.
Le Hong Hiep
Caught between its growing energy needs and Laos' controversial plans for more hydropower dams along the Mekong River, Vietnam has taken stakes in the projects to influence their development and minimise their environmental impact.