Jinghong dam's ship gate likely dropped

According to China Water Transport Daily (October 22), the plan to build a
300-tonne ship vertical lift at Jinghong dam may be given up by Yunnan
Huaneng Lancang Hydropower Company (YLC). If this is the case, the ports
between Simao and Jinghong will be abandoned, and the navigation activities
will be stopped.

YLC's rationale is: the construction of the highway between Simao and
Jinghong has already begun. Thus it is not cost-effective to build such a
ship lift. A reader wrote a complaint letter to the newspaper, and
indicated that this will violate the navigation agreement between the four
upper Mekong countries and the Water Law, and directly affect the economic
cooperation among the Mekong countries.

The Yunnan Office of Communications have reported the situation to the
Ministry of Communications, and have made the following five points:
1. The right of approval to build permanent ship gates which involve
cross-border transportation should be reserved by the central government.
2. According to Water Law, the dam owner should build navigation facilities
(ship gate or ship lift) not below the standard of a fifth grade navigation
channel on Lancang river.
3. An impact study on the upstream navigation channel, ports and piers
should be conducted, and compensation problems should be addressed prior to
construction.
4. An impact study on the downstream navigation channel, ports and piers
should be conducted .
5. During the 7-year construction period, the navigation on Lancang-Mekong
river will be interrupted. The problems related to such interruption should
be fully considered and addressed, based on the navigation agreement among
the four upper Mekong countries.

(Translated by Kevin Li)

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Rent DVDs from home.
Over 14,500 titles. Free Shipping
& No Late Fees. Try Netflix for FREE!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/ybSovB/hP.FAA/3jkFAA/ZfOolB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->

Administrator: Kevin Li (based in Hong Kong)

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lancang-mekong-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/