The four nations downstream from China on the Mekong River have expressed environmental and economic concerns about the country’s plans to build six dams on the river. Kristensen, chief executive of a commission representing Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, said, “China needs to realize that the Mekong River is one ecological system that should be cared for cooperatively.” In particular, the commission says that the dams could threaten water flow and water quality levels, posing problems for fishing communities downriver. Environmental groups say the dams would also block the migration of rare Mekong species.
