Vietnam appreciates the relevant countries’ efforts to coordinate in the sustainable use of the Mekong River’s water resources, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh said at a regular press conference on April 14.

A farmer stands on a rice field damaged by saltwater intrusion in Hung Hoi commune, Vinh Loi district of the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu.

He made the remark with regard to China’s continuation of releasing water to the lower Mekong River since April 11.

Via the diplomatic channel, China said that based on the water volume in the upper course as well as power network security, it released water at 1,200 cubic metres per second from the Jinghong hydropower dam in Yunnan province from April 11 and will keep doing this till April 20.

The released water volume from the dam will be increased from April 21 until the end of the dry season, Binh quoted the Chinese side.

The spokesman added that related countries’ coordination efforts will harmonise their interests as well as the life of civilians in the region.

Earlier in April, after China and Laos announced the release of water from their hydropower dams to assist Vietnam in drought and saltwater intrusion prevention, that water when it arrived in Vietnam raised the level of the Mekong River, according to local authorised agencies.

VNA