Research On The Development And Function Of Mekong River Commission

Lancang-Mekong River has abundant water resources, however,it is associated with the presence of water issues, such as flood prevention and treatment of problem, the problem of irrigation water and hydropower development issues.In order to solve the water problem,in the1950’s the Lower Mekong countries set up Committee for Coordination of Investigations of the Lower Mekong Basin,for the flood prevention and control.Lancang-Mekong River flows in many countries,and is the largest drainage area of an international river in Southeast Asia.The Mekong River Commission is based "Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin" on the1995,which is signed by Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.The main purpose of The Mekong River Commission is to plan,development,exploit the resources of the lower Mekong Basin.After a half century of development,the MRC’s own organizational structure and coordination mechanism is gradually improved,it successfully promote the lower Mekong River Basin water resources development projects.The Committee provides a lot of capital, information, technology and manpower support in flood control,irrigation and cooperation in research,inland navigation,hydropower development and ecological protection and other areas,has become a platform for dialogue interests of all parties.Their attitudes of the four MRC member countries are diffident,because they have common interests,but also have conflicting interest demands.Thailand does not have a lot of interest about the resources provided by the Commission,but still actively involve in it.Laos attaches great importance to cooperation with the Commission.Cambodia get a lot of funds,personnel and technical resources from the Commission.The purpose of Vietnam to use the Commission to restrict upstream countries and protect the interests of the delta.Meanwhile,due to supporting the Commission in such as capital and technology,the development partners enjoy a certain right to speak within the Commission.On the issue of core national interests,the coordinating role of the MRC’s is obvious limited,therefore,we can say that the MRC does not have just a regional inter-governmental authority Rivers.In the1990s,China and Myanmar with the Mekong River Commission establish a mechanism for the annual dialogue session,China began to attach importance to the Mekong River Commission,carry out exchange activities.Although China have different of opinions on hydropower development and ecological protection with downstream countries,they hope to seek common ground,increase mutual trust,deepen cooperation with each other and work together to solve the problems they face.