ARTICLES

4 Oct 2022

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.

4 Jan 2022

“Adapting to Nature”: A Preliminary Assessment of Vietnam’s Mekong Water Diplomacy since 2017

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.

Climate Change Environment Golden Triangle Mekong River Sustainable Development Vietnam

A picture of the Mekong river in the northern Thai region of Nong Khai, bordering Laos

28 Sep 2021

Urbanisation – An Overlooked Issue in the 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.

Climate Change Environment Mekong River

7 Jul 2021

Lancang-Mekong Cooperation: Overcoming the Trust Deficit on the Mekong

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.

ASEAN-China Relations China Japan Mekong River South Korea Thailand

Mekong River at Sangkhom district in the northeastern Thai province of Nong Khai

1 Jun 2021

The Mekong River Ecosystem in Crisis: ASEAN Cannot be a Bystander

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.

ASEAN ASEAN-China Relations Climate Change Energy Environment Mekong River

26 Apr 2021

Freeing Trade in the Greater Mekong Subregion

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

Implementing WTO trade facilitation commitments will be key.

Asean Trade Economic Development Mekong River

20 Apr 2021

Upstream Dams Threaten the Economy and the Security of the Mekong Region

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.

Cambodia China Laos Mekong River Thailand Vietnam

3 Mar 2021

Vietnam’s Mekong Middle Power Diplomacy

Phan Xuan Dung

Hanoi is applying its South China Sea playbook to the Mekong.

ASEAN China-Vietnam Relations Climate Change Environment Mekong River Vietnam

7 Jan 2020

Vietnam’s Dilemma in Dealing with Laos’ Mekong Hydropower Dams

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.

Energy Laos Mekong River Vietnam